Addis ababa: Ensuring access to climate finance is crucial and remains a priority for all corners of the world, especially for Africa, Ethiopia’s Planning and Development Minister, Fitsum Assefa stressed. In her address at a high-level ministerial event held during the second UN Climate Week, Planning and Development Minister, Fitsum Assefa noted that Africa is home to vast renewable energy resources, with a young and innovative population and vision for sustainable growth that can inspire the world.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the minister emphasized that Africa requires technology transfer and capacity building to harness its immense renewable energy resources, strengthen climate-smart agriculture, and deploy nature-based solutions. She stated that a reformed global financial architecture is vital to reduce the cost of capital and unlock green investment across the continent. With the right support, Africa can lead in advancing climate solutions for itself and for all humanity at large.
In this respect, Fitsum underlined that ‘climate finance accessibility is crucial and remains a priority for all corners of the world, especially for Africa,’ stressing the recognition of Africa’s special needs and circumstances underpinning tangible actions in finance, technology, partnerships, and policy. She pointed out that UNFCCC must recognize Africa’s special needs and circumstances-not as a privilege, but as a necessity rooted in fairness, equity, and climate justice.
The minister noted that Africa requires tailored support and consideration within the negotiation process to secure a just and resilient future. She added that the continent should not be portrayed solely as a victim of climate change; it must be acknowledged as a provider of climate solutions, which is evident across the region, even if often overlooked. She indicated that Ethiopia demonstrated a practical model of climate-resilient and green development that reflects the needs, connectivity, resilience, and shared prosperity of the continent, citing the Green Legacy Initiative and Corridor Development project as models.
Fitsum elaborated on the need for recognition of Africa’s bold climate policies and actions, scaling up predictable and accessible climate finance, and investment to adapt to shocks and leapfrog into low-carbon development. She underscored the need for strong collaboration to secure Africa’s rightful place in global climate negotiations that deliver a more resilient, just, and prosperous future.
COP29 President, Mukhtar Babayev, reiterated that Africa contributes the least to global emissions yet faces some of the worst effects. Communities across the continent are already suffering from extreme heat, erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, and desertification, he said, emphasizing that adapting and responding to loss and damage is critical and urgent.
The President stated that Africa’s forests, savannas, and wetlands are vital to global climate stability. He noted that Africa has abundant solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal potential and, with the right frameworks and partnerships, can lead in nature-based solutions and renewable energy. The President stressed that Africa’s urgent needs and immense potential must be recognized, and the outcomes from COP 29 should be implemented across the continent.
According to him, the COP 29 presidency is dedicated to ensuring that donor commitments are met, emphasizing the importance of accountability. ‘The Baku finance goal has given us a new benchmark to hold donors accountable. We are working to finalize our joint mandate and roadmap to reach $1.3 trillion,’ he stated.
On his part, Citizens and Diaspora Director at AUC, Ambassador Amr Aljowaily, emphasized the need to transform international solidarity into action, urging partners to move from pledges to concrete implementation. The director said that the development of Africa is uniquely vulnerable to climate shocks, threatening decades of progress in poverty reduction and stability.
In this regard, Africa’s voice must be heard in global climate discussions, as the continent contributes less than 4 percent of global emissions yet faces severe climate impacts. The African Union has prioritized climate action through initiatives like Agenda 2063 that focus on renewable energy and climate-resilient agriculture, he added. Furthermore, he called for recognition of Africa’s special circumstances in climate agreements; fulfillment and scaling of climate finance commitments; balanced finance allocation for climate mitigation and adaptation; reform of global financial structures and investment in Africa’s renewable energy potential.