This evening, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. @ymahmoudali delivered a statement at the virtual meeting of the Africa Adaptation & Development Emergency Leaders’ Meeting, chaired by H.E. President @WilliamsRuto & attended by Heads of State and Government from Africa, partner countries, leaders of international financial institutions, & strategic partners.

Chairperson Youssouf underscored that “Africa is on the frontlines of a #climate crisis it did not create.” He noted that droughts, floods, & rising temperatures are eroding lives, economies, & ecosystems, while shrinking climate finance threatens decades of hard-won development gains. “This is not only a climate emergency,” he emphasised. “It is a development, justice, & security emergency.”

Looking beyond #COP30, one truth is clear: the world cannot meet its climate goals without Africa, & Africa cannot unlock its full potential without predictable & equitable adaptation finance at scale, he added.

H.E. Mr. Youssouf further noted that Africa brings solutions: youth-led innovation, climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, & nature-based solutions. With the right finance and technology, Africa can lead global green growth, he said.

He concluded by making a call that the launch of #AAAP2.0 (2026–2030) must unlock large-scale adaptation finance, private investment, integrate resilience into development planning, & center people—especially women and youth.

“Adaptation is development,” the Chairperson stressed. “Every road, school, hospital, - farm must be climate-resilient.”