African Group of Negotiators

Stance on Climate Negotiations

According to the AGN the primary aim of the African Group is adopting a fair and equitable finance goal – New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance – that reflects and responds to the needs of developing countries.[1] Other topics of importance to the African Groups are making health a part of the mainstream agenda[2], operationalization of the loss and damage fund,  and implementing all COP28 outcomes.[3] Advocating for sufficient climate finance aims to address the damages and security risks posed by climate change, including displacement, food and water insecurity, and compromised livelihoods.

As the biggest continent in terms of member states, African countries are represented in the COP by the African Group of Negotiators (AGN). That meant that the entire African continent is represented! The AGN strives towards a better awareness of the impacts of climate change on Africa. Foremost, as extreme heat, drought, the use of many resources and water scarcity impact the continent, Africa tries to secure renewing solutions in finance and technology. In the worst case, by 2060, a temperature change of +2.3 °C or a temperature change of +0.6 °C per decade is expected in West Africa.The African Development Bank even estimated that climate change could cost $50 billion each year by 2040! Therefore, it's almost certain that climate change will play a center-role in the continent. To curb this, the AGN wants to use its unique strengths to become a climate conscious giant. For example, the African Union Agenda of 2063 was adopted, which aimed to take up a leading role in renewable energy production and tries to attract investments. As the African Union Commissioner Amani Abou-Zeid told; '[...] climate action is not just a moral imperative, but also a profitable business opportunity.'