Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, alongside President of Kenya William Samoei Ruto and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, have affirmed their dedication to advancing ambitious climate action in the Global Stocktake year.
In a joint statement, they emphasized the significance of the Africa Climate Summit and COP28 in accelerating a just, equitable, and orderly energy transition, supported by increased climate finance.
Their goal is to create a new climate finance structure that is inclusive, encourages private investment, and operates at the necessary scale for adaptation and mitigation in developing countries.
The statement underscores Africa’s potential as a continent with abundant renewable energy resources, a young population, and fast-growing economies. Despite contributing less than 3 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions and having low emissions per capita, many African countries are highly vulnerable to climate change.
The Africa Climate Summit and COP28 aim to address these challenges, with a focus on practical action, climate finance accessibility, and enhanced mitigation efforts.
The joint statement also emphasizes the importance of restoring trust in the multilateral process, ensuring that developed nations meet their historical commitments, and boosting climate finance.
It highlights the need for a comprehensive framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation and transformation of food, health systems, and biodiversity protection.
The statement concludes by acknowledging the crucial role of youth in shaping the future and calls on all stakeholders to engage constructively in finding solutions. It emphasizes Africa’s potential to lead in the energy transition and sustainable development and highlights the urgency of united action in the face of the climate crisis.