By Temwa Mhone
NAIROBI-(MaraviPost)-Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Soipan Tuya has challenged the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) to committe to its role as a technical advisory body to policy makers on climate change multilateral processes.
Speaking on Saturday in Nairobi Kenya when she addressed the AGN lead coordinators ahead of the Africa Climate Summit (ACS), Tuya said the group should ensure that the continent gets the best from the climate meeting.
She said: “As AGN, you are our kitchen and engine room in these processes. We value your technical expertise and your work in the climate multilateral processes.
“The support you give us as policy makers is vital and cannot be underestimated. You have to ensure we get the best from this too, and it is gratifying that you are available in Nairobi to support the Africa Climate Summit.”
The ACS, to be co-hosted by Kenya and the African Union Commission (AUC) in Nairobi from September 4 through 6 2023, will be held under the theme: “Green Growth and Climate finance for Africa and the World.”
The meeting is envisaged to ensure Africa’s voice is elevated globally and integrated into existing international meetings such as United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), G7/G20 processes and COP 28 among others.
The summit is expected to bring together leaders from Africa and beyond; development partners; intergovernmental organisations; private sector; academia; civil society organisations; women and youth to design and catalyse actions and solutions for climate change in Africa by providing a platform to deliberate on the nexus between climate change, Africa’s development reality, and the need to push for increased investment in climate action globally, and specifically in Africa.
Tuya added that the summit is to strengthen Africa’s participation as a key player and highlights immense opportunities for investment and growth that the world must acknowledge.
“We (Africa) contribute very little but the most impacted by climate crisis. The summit is not here to replace the AGN or any other climate multilateral processes.
“The summit cannot be here without the AGN as you are our engine for climate processes. Be rest assured of your continued role and expertise in these processes,” she said.
In his remarks, AGN chairperson, Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, pledged unwavering support to the summit and the expected outcomes as the group prepares for COP28.
“We remain at your disposal as experts. We remain committed to Africa’s cause in these processes,” said Shitima.
Africa is believed to be the continent of the future. As the youngest and fastest urbanizing continent with a population set to double to 2.5 billion by 2050, Africa has immense potential in clean energy, arable land, critical minerals, and natural resources.
While the continent is already demonstrating strong momentum in driving green growth, it needs to capitalise on this existing momentum by (a) driving a holistic Green Growth Agenda that takes advantage of its vast resources, and (b) securing Climate Finance tailored to Africa’s needs to achieve its growth ambitions.
Africa’s renewables potential will be fifty times the global anticipated electricity demand in 2040. However, renewable energy accounts for 10% of electricity generation mix, and only 20% of the total installed electricity generation capacity in Africa.
Whereas Africa is home to 30-40% of the world’s minerals – including those needed for green energy transition/batteries (e.g.,over 40% of global reserves of cobalt, manganese, and platinum), the continent has little to show for in terms of clean energy and mobility.
Similarly, while Africa has 60% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, that, when sustainably exploited can help the world attain food security, the continent is a net importer of food.
The summit is thus looking to address the need to change Africa’s narrative on climate change to be a growth agenda by harnessing opportunities that exist for economic transformation.