The Pre-COP29 meeting gathered African parliamentarians, negotiators, civil society members, scientists, and experts under the auspices of the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES).

The primary focus was on preparing for COP29, where experts and negotiators will play an essential role in shaping global climate policies.

Scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan, the Pre-COP29 Strategy Meeting aims to unify diverse perspectives across the continent, solidifying Africa’s collective voice.

The initiative targets key areas such as the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), climate finance, and gender considerations, all vital for Africa’s climate agenda.

Emile Guirieoulou, chairman of the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change from Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized the commitment of lawmakers to climate action, evident through the establishment of comprehensive policies and legislation.

Negotiators from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) aim to secure a unified African stance for a collaborative approach during COP29. The convention will address Africa’s varied climatic challenges, highlighting shared interests.

George Wamukoya, leader of AGNES, outlined key objectives including:

1. Addressing Transboundary Climate Adaptation Risks (TCARs): A regional strategy is essential due to the cross-border nature of climate risks, ensuring TCARs are prioritized in global discussions.
2. Operationalizing the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): A critical focus will be the GGA, aimed at enhancing global climate resilience, especially around sectors crucial to Africa, such as water, agriculture, and health.
3. Negotiating the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG): Securing financial resources is vital for implementing climate strategies. The meeting will consider short-, medium-, and long-term financial goals aligned with Africa’s needs.
4. Scaling Climate Innovations: Given Africa’s vulnerability to climate impacts, particularly in agriculture, there is a crucial need to scale climate innovations that enhance community resilience.
5. Supporting Parliamentary Engagement: Parliamentarians are key to implementing climate policies nationally. The Pre-COP29 meeting will facilitate a platform for them to create a roadmap for advocacy leading up to COP29.

Senator Moses Kajwang, convener of the Senate Climate Change caucus, underscored the need to pressure polluting nations to allocate funds to the LDCs.

He pointed out the evident links between climate change and insecurity in Africa, as competition for dwindling resources like water, arable land, and pasture intensifies.

As the continent moves forward, the Pre-COP29 meeting is crucial in establishing frameworks that align with the broader goals of the Paris Agreement while prioritizing climate resilience and sustainability.

Ultimately, the meeting seeks to pave the way for an operationalized loss and damage fund to support the most vulnerable communities in Africa.