Govt hopes COP 28 would deliver ambitious, balanced, fair outcomes to address climate change issues

Government says the Conference of All Parties (COP) 28 should deliver ambitious, balanced, fair and just outcomes that should set the world on a course to effectively address climate change on several fronts.

Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Director Climate Change and Green Economy Department, Ephraim Shitima, said this should include adaptation, loss and damage, finance and mitigation.

Shitima, who is also Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), was briefing the 19th ordinary session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment and Natural Resources (AMCEN) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Such an outcome should be guided by the best available science, principles and provisions of the Convention and the Paris Agreement, especially the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR & RC),” he said.

Shitima said the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference would be convened from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He reiterated the importance of continued unity and speaking with one voice.

Shitima pledged AGN’s commitment to safeguarding Africa’s interests in the climate negotiation processes.

“We remain steadfast in our quest for fair and just outcomes from these processes,” he said.

Shitima, however, said the COP27 decision recognises the need to address the existing gaps in the global climate overserving systems.

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He noted that 60 percent of African countries do not have access to early warning and emphasized the importance of grant-based financing for sub-Saharan African for enhancing mitigation and adaptation actions.

“Africa will call for the adoption of an ambitious decision under the work programme on Just Transition pathways that strengthen the global climate response in the context of sustainable development and operationalise equity in the pathways for mitigation, adaptation and finance under the Paris Agreement,” Shitima said.

He added that the decision should be cognizant and provide the policy space and support in consideration of the continent’s unique needs and development circumstances and urgent need.

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