Statement by

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat

Chairperson

African Union Commission

on the Occasion of

The Meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC)

On the margins of the AU Summit of Heads of State and Government

17 February 2024

H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Coordinator of CAHOSCC.

Excellencies, Heads of State and Government and Members of CAHOSCC.

Honourable Ministers

Members of the PRC

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am delighted to deliver this statement during a session of the Committee of African Heads of States and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). This Committee is handling a matter of life and death and it has ably kept the continent united despite diverse national views on the matter of climate change. The Committee has also raised the profile of our continent and ensured that our voice is strong, loud and respected on the global scale.

2. However, there is a concern regarding the African Group of Negotiators as they are not representing all Governments and in addition, a good number of them do not even work for their national governments.

3. There is also an urgent need to have the African Group of Negotiators anchored in the African Union Commission just like is the case for the European Union’s negotiation team, so that they can be coordinated as a continental body and be supported accordingly.

4. Currently, the African Group of Negotiators have no home and there is a risk that the partners funding them are likely to influence their positions.

5. Excellences, as we reflect on the outcomes of COP28, we need to remember that the fight against climate change requires sustained commitment and action from all stakeholders.

6. Pledges and commitments were made at COP28 and in particular on the Loss and Damage Fund. As a continent, we need to advocate for the speedy operationalization of the fund and for the architecture of the fund that will make it easily accessible to our member countries.

Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

7. Key milestones were achieved in 2023, including the convening of our first African Climate Summit. The Summit attracted interest from across the world, but most importantly, it positioned Africa as a key player in the global climate change crisis.

8. The Africa Climate Summit, convened by Africa in Africa was a great success. I would once again like to congratulate H.E President Ruto and the Government of Kenya on the successful Summit.

9. The outcomes of the Africa Climate Summit contained in the Nairobi Declaration are of utmost importance, as they will shape our collective efforts in building a resilient and sustainable future for Africa.

10. At the Summit we reaffirmed that climate change poses a significant threat to Africa’s development, and emphasized the commitment to taking bold and ambitious actions to mitigate its impacts and also highlighted the importance of adaptation and resilience measures,                                                                                                        

11. We remain particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and food insecurity. This situation results in disasters that affect our communities and hamper Africa's socio-economic development.

Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

12. I am pleased to inform you that the Commission launched a Climate Innovation Hub for women and youth at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi as part of operationalizing the AU Climate Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan. The Innovation hub provided a platform for women and youth innovators to showcase ground breaking innovations aimed at addressing climate change in Africa.

13. I am also pleased to inform you that in the operationalization of the AU Green Recovery Action Plan, the Commission has now set up a Climate Finance Unit to provide support and capacity building to AU Member States. As part of the implementation of the Green Recovery Action Plan, the Commission in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute, the Africa Capacity Building Foundation and with the support of Canada, selected seven AU member States and three Regional Economic Communities to assist them to enhance access to investments.

14. To kickstart the first phase of the GRAP implementation process, these Member States and RECs will be showcasing their project pipelines for investments at the Africa Green Investment Summit to be held during next week in Cape Town, South Africa.

15. During 2023, the Commission in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership prepared a Multi-country Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme to support 15 AU Member States to build climate resilience for their water sectors.
16. The Commission also co-organised with the Climate Development Africa Partners – the African Development Bank; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and in Collaboration with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, a Multi-stakeholder forum on 12-13 February 2024 that brought together climate actors from Governments, Civil Society organizations, women and youth, indigenous communities, funding institutions among others to deliberate on the outcomes from CoP28, the Africa Climate Summit and other climate related events. The Forum provided a space to share success, but also highlighted concerns from the outcomes of the different climate change meetings in 2023, and provided recommendations to guide the implementation of climate actions on the continent.

Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

17. We have heard many pledges regarding supporting us to address climate change but promised resources never come. In the meantime, Science tells us that Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world.

18. Therefore, it is time for Africa to look inward to save our people from the impacts of climate change and fund our development pathways. There are multiple transboundary initiatives we can finance with domestic resources, for the benefit of all member states involved especially in the area of renewable energy to address energy poverty and in relation to clean mobility. Africa has what it takes to liberate itself from underdevelopment and the devastating impacts of climate change.

19. Let us seize this momentum and translate the outcomes of the Africa Climate Summit into concrete actions. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a better future for generations to come and to achieve the Africa We Want