H.E. Mr Ali BONGO ONDIMBA, Gabon President,

UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr Ovais Sarmad

Dear Honorable Ministers

Invited Guests

All protocols duly observed

Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen,

First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and congratulations to the Government of Gabon under the leadership of H.E Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic, for hosting this year’s Africa Climate Week and for the excellent hospitality accorded to all delegations since their arrival in this beautiful city.

The latest IPCC report has issued a “code red” for our planet. Nevertheless, as the most affected continent and the least responsible for Greenhouse gas emissions, Africa remains firmly committed to the global fight against climate change. All African countries have ratified the Paris Agreement and set ambitious targets under their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Africa is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, with the Congo basin forest ecosystem serving as an essential carbon sink and a biodiversity hotspot. Biodiversity loss, extreme weather events and land degradation accompanying climate change are hindering the sustainable development of African countries. As we launch 2022 Africa Climate Week, we must also recognise how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities and its zoonotic origins, exemplifying the complexity and interconnectivity of risks. This interconnectedness emphasises the need for a more robust, coherent, coordinated approach between the different Multilateral Environmental Agreements – particularly the UNFCCC on climate change, UNCBD on biodiversity and UNCCD on desertification and land degradation.

Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Glasgow Climate Pact renewed the spirit of the Paris Agreement on several fronts:- (i) With developed countries pledging to double their adaptation finance from the 2019 levels by 2025; (ii) the recognition of Youth as special agents of Change and (iii) new actions on oceans and land. We remain with unresolved issues from Glasgow, particularly recognising the Special Needs and Circumstance for Africa. We expect that deliberations on this issue and loss and damage will be advanced at COP 27 in Sham el Sheikh.

We also call for implementing the Paris Agreement through scaling up finance for climate adaptation and resilience in Africa, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings and re-balancing mitigation and adaptation finance while stressing the need for concessional, predictable and just financing for Africa, considering its special circumstances.

Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am also pleased to inform you that to support the implementation of the Paris agreement; the African Union adopted during its February 2022 Summit of Heads of State and Government the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy (2022-2032); the AU Green Recovery Action Plan and the African Strategy on Meteorology (weather and climate services). As we implement these strategies and their operationalisation, I would like to call upon AU member States and partners to support these efforts at the National, Sub-regional and Regional levels.

Excellencies, you will agree with me that Africa has, over the years, grown in climate negotiations due to the unity of purpose and speaking with one voice. This has been made possible through the support and close collaboration between the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) and the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) that negotiate at the Expert Level. We also appreciate the active role played by the African Civil Society Organisations, Academia and other non State Actors, including the youth, in shaping Africa’s Climate narrative.

I am also pleased by the ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the African Climate Change Initiatives, the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) led by Gabon, and the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), as well as the Climate Commissions, established at COP 22 under the auspices of the King of Morocco:- the African Islands Climate Commission led by H.E the President of the Republic of Seychelles; The Congo Basin Climate Commission led by the H.E the President of the Republic of Congo and the Sahel Climate Commission led by H.E the President of Niger. Excellencies, I would like to appeal to our member States and partners to fully support the operationalisation of these initiatives and support efforts to mobilise resources for the same.

Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, The impacts of climate change in Africa also undermine the continent's Peace, Security and Stability. I am pleased to inform you that the AU Peace and Security Council has been holding regular sessions under the theme of climate change to exchange views on the linkages between security and climate change as a risk multiplier and how to address the associated risks.

The African Union Commission is also implementing with member States and RECs several initiatives in response to some of the impacts of Climate Change; to tackle desertification and land degradation and build the resilience of communities in the drylands of Africa, the Commission, in collaboration with several partners is implementing its flagship project, the Great Green wall initiative which in the Sahel region, and now extending its implementation to the Southern Africa Region.

The Commission is also operationalising the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, which has as one of the programs to promote the integration of blue carbon and ecosystem services into Climate Change policies and Coastal and Aquatic policies to ensure environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities. 

Water and Environment, the Commission has established a Partners’ Coordination Platform (PCP) with a thematic Working Group Cluster on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction that addresses issues of Water and Climate Change, Adaptation, and Climate Resilience. The platform facilitates collaboration and synergies among partners while supporting Regional Economic Communities and the Member States to enhance and streamline delivery.

The adverse impacts of natural hazards and disasters, often driven by extreme weather events, have already cost too many lives. In some African countries, natural disasters present existential threats to life and livelihoods and can roll back decades of growth and sustainable development.

Recognising the importance of supporting member states with timely data and resources, the Commission hosts a situation room for multi-hazard early warning systems. It also elaborates with partners on developing a framework for operationalising the multi-hazard early warning system.

Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I conclude, I would like to appeal to all Africans to continue in the spirit of Africanism and solidarity to continue to uphold Africa’s common position, defend her interests in all engagements as we tackle the adverse impacts of climate change on our continent to achieve the Africa We Want.

Thank you for your kind attention. I look forward to fruitful deliberations during the Africa climate week sessions and related activities leading up to the UNFCCC COP 27 in Sham el Sheikh.

Asante sana

Shukran