By Joyce Gyekye
Africa Group of Negotiators, AGN have converged on Accra for a three-day strategic meeting aimed at strengthening the continent’s common position ahead of upcoming global climate talks ahead of Conference of Parties, COP 31 in Turkey.
The meeting comes at a critical time as African countries push for climate financing and equitable outcomes, despite contributing the least to global emissions. The meeting will discuss broad thematic areas including Finance, technology, energy and a Just and Orderly transition.
Opening the meeting, the CEO of the Environmental Protection Authority, EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Browne klutse called on the Group to advance a coordinated position on key priorities that will determine not only the international climate policy but the future of economies, ecosystems and well-being of people on the continent.
She entreated them to negotiate for a global ambition that reflects differentiated responsibilities and Africa’s different national circumstances adding that “Africa cannot be expected to pursue pathways that constrain development without adequate support”.
The Minister of State in Charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, noted that Africa must continue to advocate for a system that reflects realities of the continent. The indicators, he said, should capture outcomes on the ground, particularly for vulnerable communities and not only processes.
While acknowledging Africa’s consistency on climate finance and the follow-up to the New Collective Quantified Goal, (NCQG), he entreated the negotiators to “Continue to push for clarity on the quantum, the balance between mitigation and Adaptation and on the quality of finance, including the share of grants”.
The Chairperson of the AGN under the UNFCCC global talks, Dr Nana Antwi Bosiako Amoah who will lead the group for 2026 and 2027, outlined his priorities to include youth engagement, climate and trade, green minerals and fairness in fossil fuel phase down.
He assured participants that he will be guided by the continent’s development and “the need to ensure that climate action advances equity, resilience, industrialization and prosperity for our people”. The outcomes of the three-day meeting will feed into the Group’s position during COP 31 which will be held in Turkey in November with Australia leading the negotiations.
The Australian Ambassador to Ghana, Berenice Owen-Jones reiterated her country’s support for the processes leading to Turkey including the Pre-COP in Fuji.
WHAT IS AFRICAN GROUP OF NEGOTIATORS, AGN
The group is a coalition of all African countries that come together to negotiate as one bloc in the global climate talks under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC. The group typically focuses on climate finance, Adaptation, Loss and Damage, Technology transfer and capacity building.
