Kenya's Environment Cabinet Secretary Urges African Climate Negotiators to Fulfill Advisory Role
Secretary Tuya delivered this message during her address to AGN lead coordinators on Saturday in Nairobi ahead of the Africa Climate Summit (ACS).
Nairobi, Kenya— Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Soipan Tuya, called upon the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) to embrace their role as a technical advisory body for policymakers involved in climate change multilateral processes, writes Temwa Mhone.
Secretary Tuya delivered this message during her address to AGN lead coordinators on Saturday in Nairobi ahead of the Africa Climate Summit (ACS).
Tuya emphasised the pivotal role of AGN in ensuring Africa's success in climate meetings, stating, "As AGN, you are our kitchen and engine room in these processes. We value your technical expertise and your work in the multilateral climate process. The support you give us as policymakers is vital and cannot be underestimated. You have to ensure we get the best from this too, and it is gratifying that you are available in Nairobi to support the Africa Climate Summit."
The Africa Climate Summit, scheduled to take place from September 4 to 6, 2023, in Nairobi, will be co-hosted by Kenya and the African Union Commission (AUC).
The summit is themed "Green Growth and Climate Finance for Africa and the World."
The ACS aims to amplify Africa's global voice and integrate it into existing international meetings, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), G7/G20 processes, and COP 28, among others.
This gathering is set to bring together leaders from across Africa, development partners, intergovernmental organisations, the private sector, academia, civil society organisations, women, and youth. Its purpose is to deliberate on climate change's intersection with Africa's development reality and to catalyse actions and solutions while advocating for increased global investment in climate action, particularly in Africa.
Secretary Tuya also highlighted the summit's objective to strengthen Africa's participation as a key player and underscore the significant investment and growth opportunities that the world must recognise.
She expressed Africa's commitment to climate action despite its relatively low contributions to global emissions, stating, "We (Africa) contribute very little but are the most impacted by the climate crisis. The summit is not here to replace the AGN or any other multilateral climate process. The summit cannot be here without the AGN, as you are our engine for climate processes. Be rest assured of your continued role and expertise in these processes."
AGN Chairperson Ephraim Mwepya Shitima pledged unwavering support for the summit and its expected outcomes as the group prepares for COP28.
"We remain at your disposal as experts. We remain committed to Africa’s cause in these processes," said Shitima.
Summit's Overarching Objective:
Africa, often referred to as the continent of the future, possesses significant potential in clean energy, arable land, critical minerals, and natural resources.
With a population set to double to 2.5 billion by 2050, it is also the youngest and fastest urbanising continent. However, despite showing strong momentum in driving green growth, Africa faces the challenge of fully capitalising on its abundant resources.
The summit seeks to address this challenge by advancing a holistic Green Growth Agenda that leverages Africa's vast resources and secures Climate Finance tailored to the continent's needs.
While Africa's renewable energy potential could exceed global anticipated electricity demand in 2040 by fifty times, it currently accounts for only 10% of the electricity generation mix and 20% of the total installed electricity generation capacity in Africa.
Furthermore, Africa holds 30–40% of the world's minerals, including those crucial for the transition to green energy and batteries, such as over 40% of global reserves of cobalt, manganese, and platinum.
However, Africa has yet to fully harness clean energy and mobility opportunities. Similarly, despite possessing 60% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, which could contribute to global food security when sustainably exploited, the continent remains a net importer of food.
The Africa Climate Summit aims to reshape Africa's climate change narrative into one of growth and economic transformation by harnessing the existing opportunities for sustainable development.