As part of the second UNFCCC climate week, the COP29 Presidency hosted a High-Level Ministerial event on addressing Africa’s special needs and circumstances in the climate crisis.
Speaking at the session, AGN Chair Dr. Richard Muyungi reiterated Africa’s desire for equity and accountability in the climate processes.
“Africa’s special needs and circumstances is not an illusion but a reality informed by the continent’s unique circumstances—being the lowest in terms of development index, highest in poverty levels and more likely unable to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 as compared to other regions. Africa’s unique circumstances are also characterized by resource and capacity constraints, climate vulnerabilities, historical and future GHG emissions responsibility, immediate needs for adaptation and mitigation, and a long-term vision for sustainable development,” said Dr. Muyungi, pointing out that the agenda item is a realistic cause for the continent that contributes almost nothing to emissions and yet suffers the most.
And speaking at the same occasion, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted Azerbaina’s longstanding collaboration with many African nations through the Non-Aligned Movement, and committed working with them to put Africa’s needs and priorities at the centre of the climate debate.
Africa supports the aim of the Paris Agreement (Art.2) of strengthening the global response to the threats of climate change in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicating poverty.
Accordingly, Africa mainly supports climate responses that take into consideration Africa’s special development circumstances and provides the policy space necessary for Africa to achieve sustainable development and just transitioning to low emission and resilient development.
The second UNFCCC Climate Week of 2025 (CW2) was held from 1-6 September 2025 in Addis Ababa, under the theme “Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation.
The meeting preceded the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), from 8-10 September, 2025
