The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), in collaboration with L’Union Nationale des Journalistes de Côte d’Ivoire (UNJCI), successfully hosted a landmark conference under the theme “Amplifying African Narratives in Climate Justice: Empowering Journalists to Advance Africa’s Just Transition Realisation.” Held from September 4-5, 2024, in Abidjan, the event brought together leaders from journalist unions across 29 African countries, highlighting their pivotal roles in advancing climate justice and driving the continent’s just transition.
Supported by Mondiaal FNV and Oxfam, the two-day conference featured robust participation from journalist unions, environmental advocates, and experts. Deliberations focused on the immense challenges Africa faces in responding to climate change and the essential role of the media in reframing public discourse, demanding accountability, and pushing for climate action. As one of the continents most vulnerable to climate impacts, Africa needs its journalists to spearhead the reshaping of narratives around climate justice.
Empowering Journalists for Climate Action
The conference featured expert-led panels and interactive sessions that explored key themes, including the just transition, climate justice, advanced storytelling techniques, and the safety of journalists covering environmental issues. Discussions centered on how African media can more effectively frame the continent’s climate narrative while advocating for inclusive and equitable development policies.
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman underscored the urgent need for African journalists to take a leading role in shaping global climate conversations. “The narrative of Africa’s climate crisis must swiftly shift from one of vulnerability and despair to one of resilience, opportunity, and leadership,” Osman said. He stressed that African journalists are “not just amplifying African voices on international platforms—they are demanding decisive action and equity in addressing the continent’s distinct climate challenges.”
The sessions highlighted the crucial role of journalism in promoting green job creation and sustainable economies while exposing the realities of environmental degradation. Journalists were called upon to hold governments and corporations accountable for their climate commitments, advocating for a just transition toward low-carbon growth that benefits all communities.
Amplifying Africa’s Voice on the Global Stage
Ambassador Ali Daud Mohammed, Chairperson of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), presented Africa’s key priorities for COP29 during the conference. He reiterated the importance of African journalists in amplifying the continent’s climate justice narratives, ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard at global climate negotiations. The ambassador reaffirmed AGN’s commitment to collaborating with FAJ and its affiliated journalist unions to elevate Africa’s solutions and priorities on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Coumba Diop, Director of the ILO Office in Abidjan, highlighted the media’s role in shaping public understanding and driving action on climate change. Diop urged journalists to communicate the benefits of a just transition, including job creation, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability, while addressing the social impacts on affected communities.
Key Outcomes: The Abidjan Declaration and Action Plan
A significant outcome of the conference was the adoption of the *Abidjan Declaration*, a powerful call for enhanced collaboration between journalists, trade unions, and civil society to amplify African perspectives on climate issues. The Declaration emphasized the urgency of advancing a just transition in Africa, advocating for inclusive, low-carbon development strategies that prioritize job creation and sustainable growth. It also called for strong accountability mechanisms to ensure that governments and corporations fulfill their climate commitments.
Additionally, an Action Plan was developed to guide continued climate action across Africa. This plan emphasized the need to strengthen climate awareness and education on African media platforms, ensuring that the public remains informed about the challenges and solutions to climate change. The plan also addressed the critical issue of journalist safety, calling for measures to protect media professionals covering environmental issues from harassment, censorship, and threats.
Charting a Path for the Future
The Abidjan Declaration and Action Plan reflect the collective determination of African journalists to champion the just transition agenda and lead the charge for climate action across the continent. With strengthened capacity and tools, African journalists are now well-positioned to shape global climate narratives, advocate for solutions that prioritize Africa’s needs, and push for a fairer, more sustainable future for the continent.
As FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman concluded, “African journalists are no longer passive bystanders—they are indispensable architects of change in the fight for climate justice.”
