H.E William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chair of the CAHOSCC presided over the meeting of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), held on 21 September 2023, on the margins of the 78^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78), in New York. The meeting took place in the presence of H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), H.E Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Amb. Josefa Sacko, the Head of the AU Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, Amb. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Ministers and Representatives from CAHOSCC Member States.

In his opening address, President Ruto welcomed the Committee members and call on all the Member States to double efforts for “a strong Pan-African campaign, as we all respond to the Nairobi Declaration’s call-to-action in support of Africa’s prosperity and stability, through effective global climate action.” The CAHOSCC Chair extended his appreciation to the Africa Union Commission for the good work it continues to do in coordinating the activities of this Committee. “We have now formally received the Africa Leaders’ Nairobi Declaration and Call to Action, which, by all accounts, sets out a clear and transformative vision for Africa’s economic growth and development.” Stated President Ruto. The President added that, it is therefore critical that the resolution be backed by a sound implementation plan. “For this reason, we recommend that the proposed implementation plan, which is a thoughtful outline, be further developed through an inclusive consultative process to ensure that it effectively anchors the implementation of our climate action agenda.” President Ruto underscored. (See complete message of the Kenyan President and Chair of CAHOSCC in the AU website: www.au.int )

Chairperson Faki on his part noted that the political leadership and strategic guidance provided by CAHOSCC on the continent’s engagement on climate change has gained the African continent respect and recognition, strengthened advocacy and the African Voice in the never-ending negotiations. “ As the most affected continent by the impacts of climate change, Africa remains strongly committed to the global fight against climate change. It is in this regard, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto for his continued engagement and commitment to championing Africa’s Climate Agenda. Key milestones have been reached, including the convening of our first ever African Climate Summit attracted interest from across the world, but most importantly, it positioned Africa as a key player in the global climate change arena. It culminated into the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action, which has been applauded by all conceivable local and global stakeholders.” Acknowledged the AUC Chairperson.

Chairperson Faki further underscored the strong need to maintain the momentum and spirit towards CoP28.  “We look forward to a CoP that will deliver ambitious, balanced, fair and just outcomes that will address issues of adaptation, loss and damage, finance and mitigation. To achieve some of these actions, we reiterate our call to the global community to act with urgency in reducing emissions, fulfilling their obligations, honoring past pledges, to support the continent in addressing climate change.”  Said the AUC Chair.

Chairperson Faki recalled that the membership of the G20 granted to the African Union is an important milestone that acknowledges the continent as a formidable global power and that the AU should undertake a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities in the engagement in the G20. “I would like to assure you that climate change is a priority for our continent and the world. It is for this reason that at the AU Commission, I have embarked on strengthening the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction portfolios. To this end, we have established the Climate Finance Unit and continue to recruit more staff in this area. We are also hard at work to mobilise resources to support member states and we have started developing multi-country programmes for climate change”, concluded Chairperson Faki. ( See the complete speech of the AUC Chairperson on the AU Website: www.au.int )

The CAHOSCC report also contained a brief on the implications of the AU’s membership in the G20  with the participants for consideration, while AUC Commissioner   Josefa Sacko presented an overview of the Africa Climate Change Summit Declaration  held in the Republic of Kenya in Nairobi from 4^th to 6^th September 2023, which recognizes the role played by  H.E President William Ruto and AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in spearheading the convening of a highly successful summit applauded by all stakeholders. She indicated that, the Africa Climate Summit not only attended by African Heads of State and Government, but also by other global leaders, intergovernmental organizations, Regional Economic Communities, United Nations (UN) agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, local communities, farmer organizations, children, youth, women and academia. “Climate change is the single greatest challenge facing humanity and the single biggest threat to all life on Earth.” Noted the AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.

The CAHOSCC Report was presented by H.E Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry of the Republic of Kenya. The Report was adopted along with an Implementation Plan for the Implementation of the Nairobi Declaration.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

About the African Union:

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. 

The AU Vision is to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.

About the AU Permanent Observer Mission to the UN:

The Permanent Mission of the African Union to the United Nations (AU Mission to the UN) plays a pivotal role in representing the interests of the African Union within the United Nations system. 

The Mission advocates for African interests and concerns on a wide range of global issues, including peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and climate change. It works to ensure that African perspectives are considered and integrated into UN policies and decisions.

The Mission plays a crucial role in aligning AU positions with UN agendas and initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and peacekeeping missions.

The Mission serves as a channel for information exchange between the African Union and the United Nations. It relays UN decisions, resolutions, and initiatives to the AU and provides the UN with updates on AU activities and developments in Africa.

For more information, please visit the website of the AU Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations: www.africanunion-un.org

For further media inquiries, please contact:

1.  Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | Mobile: +1 (347) 812-7195 / WhatsApp: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

2. Oumou Daou Koumoue| Communications Advisor | Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations | Mobile: +1 (914)316-3726 | email: koumoueo@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube