President Akufo-Addo, along with the Ministers of Lands and Natural Resources and Food and Agriculture, will participate in the Africa Climate Summit 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya this week.
This summit, occurring from September 4 to 6, 2023, presents a crucial opportunity for African leaders to endorse initiatives aimed at bolstering climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation efforts.
The anticipated Nairobi Declaration, slated for adoption on the summit’s final day, is eagerly awaited by numerous stakeholders, who are looking for solutions and action-oriented goals.
In total, 24 heads of state from across the African continent are expected to engage in this week-long event.
Preceding the summit, Mohamed Adow, director of the energy and climate think tank Power Shift Africa, emphasized, “The reality of climate change is that Africa did not cause the crisis, but it is Africa that will determine whether humanity can fix it.”
He added, “How Africa develops over the next two decades will determine the fate of the planet. We have an abundance of clean, renewable energy, and it is essential that we use this to power our future prosperity.”
Mwandwe Chileshe, Global Policy Lead for Food Security and Agriculture at Global Citizen, stressed the importance of prioritizing discussions on adaptation finance. He noted, “The Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi presents a pivotal moment for the continent to not only set the tone but also shape the agenda for Africa’s sustainable future.”
Chileshe continued, “Africa is home to most people who are struggling with the weight of climate change, especially small-scale farmers. It is time to bridge the gap between the urgency of needs and the disparity in climate financing.”
Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, highlighted Africa’s growing relevance to global prosperity. He cited the continent’s young population, abundant renewable energy and mineral resources, and vast uncultivated arable land.
Verkooijen emphasized that the Africa Climate Summit should establish the groundwork for increased financial resources to drive climate adaptation and advance the Sustainable Development Goals, ushering in a new era of growth for the continent.