As the second week of negotiations at COP29 unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, African Members of Parliament (MPs) have united to call for bold and transformative action to tackle the urgent climate crisis. With extreme weather events, food insecurity, and water scarcity increasingly threatening the continent’s development, these legislators are advocating for African leadership in global climate action.
In a joint statement delivered during the Africa Parliamentarians Roundtable, the MPs emphasized their commitment to climate resilience and pledged to champion solutions that address the continent’s unique challenges. The lawmakers stressed the importance of integrating traditional knowledge and nature-based solutions in addressing climate change. “We want to champion the nature-based solutions, making sure that we account and we also put into place our own traditional ways of dealing with climate change,” said Joanah Mamombe, Vice Chairperson of the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change.
The MPs underscored the need for inclusivity and equity, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind in climate action. The statement outlined their determination to support sustainable development across Africa, noting that the impacts of climate change are not just a threat to Africa, but to the entire planet. “We are here to ensure a sustainable, prosperous, and resilient future, not just for Africa, but for the world,” the MPs affirmed.
Among the Kenyan legislators attending COP29 are David Gikaria, Chair of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining, alongside other prominent members. Their participation highlights Kenya’s active role in shaping the continent’s climate agenda and its commitment to achieving climate justice.
A major focus of the African MPs’ intervention is the issue of climate finance. The continent has long struggled to access the funding necessary to combat the effects of climate change, and the lawmakers are calling for equitable access to climate finance. Africa is demanding an annual $1.3 billion to address climate impacts, particularly in regions heavily affected by droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. The MPs emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in the mobilization and distribution of these funds, urging that vulnerable nations be prioritized, especially when it comes to support for loss and damage finance.
The legislative network aims to strengthen the role of African parliamentarians in shaping climate policy and ensuring that commitments made at international forums are translated into concrete actions on the ground. The MPs pledged to put in place legislative frameworks and oversight mechanisms to hold their respective governments accountable for meeting their climate commitments. “We will ensure that the executive is held to account, and that climate finance is used effectively and transparently,” they stated.
Beyond financial support, the lawmakers also highlighted the role of innovation in climate action. They pointed to the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance climate solutions. By leveraging AI for better data modeling and decision-making, they argue, Africa can align its climate strategies with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. “Artificial intelligence can advance climate action through better data modeling and also decision-making, ensuring that there’s inclusivity and alignment with the development of sustainable goals,” they added.
As negotiations continue, the COP29 talks have entered a crucial phase marked by ministerial consultations aimed at resolving outstanding issues. The focus of these discussions includes key areas such as climate finance, mitigation strategies, and adaptation efforts. For instance, Australia and Egypt are leading discussions on the structure and contributor base for the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), while Ireland and Costa Rica are working on advancing the Global Goal on Adaptation.
The MPs’ joint statement calls for tangible outcomes from these negotiations, ensuring that Africa’s priorities are addressed and that the continent’s voice is heard on the global stage. With the urgency of climate change becoming increasingly apparent, the commitment of African MPs to securing a sustainable and resilient future for the continent is more critical than ever. Their leadership at COP29 is a powerful reminder of the need for unity, action, and accountability in the fight against climate change.
