In February 2025, Mr. Ali Daud Mohamed, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Climate Change and Special Climate Envoy of the President of the Republic of Kenya, traveled to Moscow, Russia, to participate in a series of events designed to strengthen ties between Russia and Africa on climate action initiatives.
During his visit, Mr. Mohamed engaged in high-level discussions with key Russian officials, including Mr. Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation and Special Presidential Representative on Climate Issues; Mr. Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa; and Mr. Andrey Melnichenko, Chair of the Committee on Climate Policy and Carbon Regulation of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).
The talks focused on the current international climate agenda, exploring equitable approaches to setting climate targets, the future of the global carbon market, and the need to address trade barriers imposed under the guise of climate policies. Mr. Edelgeriyev emphasized Russia’s unwavering commitment to the Paris Agreement, particularly provisions that reduce the cost of greenhouse gas emissions through mechanisms like the global carbon market, affordable climate finance, and fair technology transfers, despite challenges in global negotiations.
Mr. Novak underscored the importance of a just and gradual transition to a low-carbon economy, tailored to diverse national circumstances. “Green and conventional energy should coexist and complement each other. Reducing emissions doesn’t solely depend on phasing out fossil fuels. A fair transition cannot hinge on banning investments in fossil fuel projects,” he stated. Following this discussion, both parties agreed to develop a joint work plan to boost cooperation between Russia and the African Union on climate action, engaging business communities from both regions.
Mr. Mohamed highlighted the inequities in current global climate policies, noting that Africa, responsible for just 4% of historical anthropogenic emissions, is highly vulnerable to climate impacts and faces disproportionate pressure to adopt ambitious targets and limit the use of its natural resources. “Western nations, historically the largest emitters, still outpace Africans and Latin Americans in per capita emissions. This disparity must be addressed in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement,” he argued, proposing a per capita emissions budget to ensure equal development rights. The Russian delegation expressed support for revisiting NDC frameworks.
Concerns over climate-related trade barriers, such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM), were also raised. Mr. Mohamed criticized these measures as discriminatory, arguing they unfairly penalize African exporters while high-emitting nations impose costs on lower-emitting ones.
Mr. Melnichenko echoed these sentiments, calling the global climate agenda “in crisis” and stressing the need for stronger climate diplomacy. “The alignment of Africa’s 1.4 billion people with Russia’s diplomatic, scientific, and technological strengths could drive a fairer international climate framework,” he said. He also pointed to the stalled progress on global carbon markets, noting that operationalizing them could cut millions of tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually. “Russian climate project developers are ready to collaborate with Africa,” he added.
Russia showcased its National Climate Monitoring System, revealing interim findings that its ecosystems absorb twice as much CO2-equivalent as previously estimated, positioning the country as a significant player in climate negotiations. Mr. Melnichenko emphasized the pivotal role of science in shaping global climate positions. Mr. Mohamed expressed Africa’s interest in obtaining reliable emissions and absorption data, signaling this as a potential cornerstone of future Russia-Africa climate cooperation.
