Ghana hosted a pivotal three-day strategic meeting of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), bringing together UNFCCC National Focal Points, African Lead Coordinators, and key partners to consolidate Africa’s common position ahead of the 31st and 32nd sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, and COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).
The meeting, held from March 30 to April 1, 2026, marks the first in-person strategic convening under Ghana’s chairmanship of the AGN.
It is delivering a practical roadmap to strengthen Africa’s negotiating platform, sharpen continental priorities, and reinforce coordination within the AGN and the broader African three-tier negotiation structure.
Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, welcoming participants, described the meeting as timely and critical.
“Africa’s strength in global climate negotiations has always been its unity. At this defining moment, we must reinforce that unity and ensure our collective voice continues to shape outcomes that reflect our realities and aspirations,” she stated.
Prof. Klutse underscored that Africa continues to face disproportionate climate impacts despite contributing the least to global emissions, emphasizing that climate action must be anchored in equity, justice, and adequate support.
She highlighted key priorities for Africa, including scaled-up and predictable climate finance, enhanced adaptation efforts, capitalization of major UNFCCC funds, and equitable access to technology and capacity-building support.
The meeting also recognises a historic milestone for Ghana, as Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah assumes leadership of the AGN—the first time the country has chaired the group since signing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of State at the Office of the President for Climate Change and Sustainability, Baba Issifu Seidu, stressed that the global climate process has entered a critical phase focused on implementation, accountability, and delivery.
“Africa must position itself not only as a participant, but as a driver of outcomes across all negotiation tracks,” he said.
.jpeg)
The Minister outlined priority areas for Africa’s engagement, including advancing the Global Goal on Adaptation with measurable, flexible, and impact-driven indicators; ensuring clarity, adequacy, and accessibility of climate finance under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG); and safeguarding equity within the Mitigation Work Programme, while supporting just transitions, energy access, and economic transformation.
He emphasized that climate finance remains a matter of equity and trust, and that without accessible and adequate funding, adaptation and mitigation efforts will fall short.
The Strategic Meeting featured both open and closed sessions. The open session focused on partner dialogue and Africa’s engagement in global platforms such as the G20, while subsequent closed sessions drove thematic alignment, develop negotiation instructions, and establish coordination mechanisms for effective follow-through.
Participants produced clear decisions, identify outstanding issues, assign responsibilities, and agree on immediate next steps to guide Africa’s climate diplomacy through the 2026–2027 biennium.
As Africa prepares to host COP32 in Addis Ababa, the meeting is seen as a critical opportunity for the continent to consolidate its voice and influence global climate outcomes.
“The future of Africa will not be defined by negotiations alone, but by how effectively we shape them,” Mr. Seidu noted. “This is the moment for Africa to act with unity, purpose, and resolve.”
.jpeg)
Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to climate resilience and inclusive development through national frameworks, including adaptation planning and nationally determined contributions, while calling for strengthened regional cooperation.
The Government of Ghana and the Environmental Protection Authority expressed confidence that the outcomes of the meeting will position Africa to engage more effectively and strategically in upcoming global climate negotiations.
According to Augustine Njamshi of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), “Africa cannot afford to treat COP31 and COP32 as routine negotiation cycles. We must see them as strategic turning points. The reality is that we have become very skilled at defending positions. And we now understand, from our many years in these global policy arenas, that positions alone do not alter outcomes. Recent COP decisions highlight the issue. The financial outcome from COP29 fell short of what science, equity and fairness require.”
By Kofi Adu Domfeh
