By Chuks Oyema-Aziken (Baku, Azerbaijan)
At COP29 holding in Baku, Azerbaijan, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) Ali Mohamed has advocated the importance of having a goal that is going to respond to the evolving needs of developing countries, and countries that are most vulnerable to the climate catastrophe.
This is part of Africa Group expectations and delivery at the ongoing climate talks.
He said Africa is advocating for a climate finance goal that aligns with the challenges we face as a global community.
“At the Dubai conference last year, we committed to transitioning toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future—one that requires substantial investments and reliable financing. This is the core issue we are pushing for.
“Various groups have proposed funding figures in the trillions of dollars, and that remains the focus of the current discussions. There is no contention on the magnitude of the financial commitments needed to address the global climate challenge.
Continuing, “I want to emphasize the importance of having a goal that is going to respond to the evolving needs of developing countries, and countries that are most vulnerable to the climate catastrophe. The urgency of the climate emergency for millions of people in the Global South cannot be over-emphasized, and Baku presents us with an opportunity to offer leadership and hope.
“The attempt to redefine the commitments and obligations under the Convention and the Paris Agreement has been the biggest obstacle to climate finance negotiations this year, and here in Baku. This is why we had to reject the earlier draft. The Convention is very clear regarding the flow of financing. There are established commitments and obligations.
“Developed countries must lead in providing the financing, while developing countries are the recipients. This is the core principle of both the Convention and the Agreement, and it is not something we are willing to renegotiate afresh. We cannot reopen the Convention and the Agreement for further negotiation.
The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) is a technical body of the three-tier African negotiating structure that engages in the technical negotiations during the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) and the intersessional negotiations on Climate Change.
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