Africa Climate Summit 4-6 September 2023

 Africa is determined to bring about transformative development in order to achieve the aspiration of our blue print, Agenda 2063, the Africa we ALL WANT. Linked to these lofy goals are the various flagship programmes such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Areas, Industrialisation Agenda, and  Integrated High Speed Train Network,  Grand Inga Dam Project, to name but a few.

 Africa has the right human and natural resources to achieve our development goals and to contribute to the development of other continents as well as to addressing global challenges. Yet about 400 million of our people in Africa have no access to clean drinking water and 700 million have no access to good sanitation. As if that is not enough, about 54% of the population is currently in darkness due to lack of electricity, while 800 million people in Africa have no access to clean cooking means, which implies that they are exposed to black carbon which is risky for their health.

Climate change has had a knockout effect on Africa’s development and continues to subject more and more Africans into hunger and malnutrition, stuntedness and poverty.  Our economies are also shrinking due to the effects of climate change and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 has been slow. Debt stress has been compounded by the impacts of COVID-19, climate change and the unfair international monetary systems, which tend to be biased against Africa.

 Therefore, in the wisdom of our Heads of State and Government, they decided for the African Union to convene an Africa Climate Summit, and we are grateful to the Government of the Republic of Kenya through His Excellency President William Ruto for graciously offering to host it, in Nairobi from 4-6 September 2023.

 The summit will be attended by African leaders alongside other global leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to address climate change challenges and advance sustainable solutions in Africa.

 The Summit will provide a platform to address the intersection of climate change, Africa's development, and the need for increased global investment in climate action, particularly in Africa.

 It seeks to launch a renewed African ambition for green growth and promote climate finance solutions. The expected outputs include the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions, a pathway to a new global financial deal, investment commitments, and announcements on major initiatives.

 African Union Member States and partners are invited to champion the Green Growth Agenda and Climate Finance plan, present transformative partnership opportunities, and attract new finance and investment. The summit's outputs will serve both Africa's and the world's ambitions for climate action, focusing on five core growth drivers, including: -

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  1. Just Energy Transition/Renewable Energy – Key priorities encompass expanding electricity access, ensuring clean cooking availability, enhancing energy efficiency, and exploring renewable energy possibilities;

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  2. Green Minerals and Manufacturing – these are minerals that are key to Africa's transition to a low-carbon and circular economy. The Summit will aim to emphasise the immense potential of green minerals and sustainable manufacturing

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  3. Sustainable Agriculture, Land, and Water/Ocean Use –Some of the priorities here include recognition of agriculture as a pivotal driver of Africa's green growth, broad political and financial support for sustainable agriculture initiatives, showcasing validated agricultural innovations for investor engagement

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  4. Sustainable Infrastructure and Urbanisation - The session will delve into the significance of investing in public transport infrastructure, focusing on practical options such as bus rapid transit (BRT) systems and e-mobility solutions, and resilient or clean cities.

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  5. Natural Capital – This session aim to highlight Africa's unique position as a biodiversity-rich continent, accounting for a quarter of global biodiversity and possessing vast natural capital. Promoting conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity for sustainable development.

 Also to be discussed are issues of adaptation, resilience to climate risks and carbon finance.

 Therefore, this inaugural Africa Climate Summit provides an opportunity for Africa to consolidate its united voice on matters of climate change, sustainable development and to mobilise support for the implementation of continental programmes and policies such as the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan, which covers all the items to be addressed by the Summit. It will also have pre-events such as the Climate Change and Development for Africa Conference, and the Youth Conference which will also feed into the summit.

 On behalf of His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,  I would like to appeal to all our Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Environment and Agriculture to attend this very important summit in order to unlock Africa’s development potential.

 I thank you for your kind attention