The Second Africa Climate Summitwas held from September 8-10, at Addis International Convention Center, in Addis Ababa, hosted by the Government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in collaboration with the Africa Union Commission. The Summit which convened under the theme of “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development”brought togetherHeads of State and Government, ministers, diplomats of African Union Member States, international partners, representatives of Civil Society Organizations and other participants.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during his opening address stressed that “Too often, Africa’s story at climate summits starts with what we lack, finance, technology, and time.” He added “Let’s start instead with what we have:-The youngest population in the world, bursting with creativity and innovation; the fastest-growing solar belt on Earth; the planet’s last great carbon vaults, our forests, wetlands, and coast; vast arable land capable of feeding a growing continent and beyond.”
The Prime Minister pointed out that Ethiopia launched Green Legacy Initiative in 2019 and has so far planted 48 billion seedlings. The Prime Minister also announced Ethiopia’s bid to host COP32 in 2027 and his initiative to establish Africa Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC) & Africa Climate Facility (ACF).
During his keynote address, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, underlined “climate finance must be fair, significant, and predictable.” He stressed “The vulnerability of our member countries, exacerbated by climate change, debt burdens, and structural inequalities in the global financial system, must be addressed through climate justice and genuine cooperation.”
More than 25,000 participants including heads of state and government, ministers, representatives of the civil society, development partners, private sectors, local community and indigenous peoples, farmers, youth, and academia, joined the Summit and engaged in intensive and lively discussions aimed at charting out Africa’s climate resilient development. 23 pavilions hosted interactive debates by thousands of participants from African countries and beyond. More than 43 exhibitions showcased innovations and commitments for green growth and low-carbon development. 240 mandated and official side events focused largely on African-led climate solutions and explored innovative solutions.
At the conclusion of the Summit the leaders adopted African Leaders’ Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action. The leaders acclaimed Prime Minister Abiy for “his dedication to environmental stewardship that is exemplified by the Green Legacy Initiative, a home grown response that has mobilized millions across Ethiopia to plant billions of trees, restore degraded landscapes, and inspire a continental movement towards ecological renewal.”
The establishment of the Africa Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC) & Africa Climate Facility (ACF), at the initiative of PM Abiy, have been included in the African Leaders Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action. The leaders committed to operationalizing the Compact and the Facility. The Compact has the plan to mobilize 50 billion USD per annum in catalytic financing through the Facility to fund 1000 continental projects in energy, agriculture, water, transport, and resilience by 2030.
The leaders commended African-led climate Initiatives such as the African Union Great Green Wall Initiative, the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative and the Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative, calling for strengthened and sustained support to the Initiatives through the Green Climate Fund.
The leaders stressed that adaptation finance is the legal obligation of the developed world and it must be delivered in concessional financing not to exacerbate Africa’s debt burden. The deal to operationalize the long anticipated African Climate Change Fund, to be supported by the African Development Bank, through green bonds and innovative financing instruments attuned to Africa’s realities was announced. Deals of billions of Dollars reached on the margins of the Summit.
The Summit concluded its deliberations by adopting African Leaders’ Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action. Commissioner Bankole Adoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs and Peace and Security at the African Union delivered closing remarks on behalf of Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The Summit was officially concluded by a closing remarks by President Taye Atseke Selassie, who lauded the Summit for successfully achieving its targets.