Kenya: AGNES Strategy Meeting to Shape African Climate Negotiation Priorities Takes Place In Nairobi.

By Rita Nyaga

The Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) has convened a crucial strategy 4-day meeting Nairobi, with climate experts from 30 African Countries in attendance. AGNES and partners convened this meeting to prepare African negotiators ahead of the upcoming 60th Session of Subsidiary Bodies (SB60), Climate Change Conference scheduled for 3 -13^th June in Bonn, Germany.

Key objectives of the meeting include:

Reflecting on COP28 outcomes, particularly regarding agriculture, adaptation, loss and damage, adaptation finance, gender and climate change, health and climate change, water and climate security, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions.

Prepare a common African position and submission on key agenda items for SB60, including agriculture, adaptation, gender, health, water, and biodiversity.

Inform African negotiators on emerging areas of interest such as the development and alignment of Long-Term Strategies (LTS) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), capacity-building for accessing adaptation finance, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) work.

The meeting was opened by Ms. Anne Wang’ombe, Kenya’s principal secretary in the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action who said: “The Kenyan government has prioritized climate change initiatives, including the promotion of green energy and tree planting initiatives.”

The meeting has brought together policymakers, negotiators, experts, practitioners, farmer organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and gender national focal points, development partners, and international and regional research organizations.

 “Together with our esteemed partners and collaborators, we aim to pave the way for meaningful action at the upcoming SB60 session. Our collective efforts, guided by reflection on COP28 outcomes, will shape strategic approaches across crucial themes: agriculture, adaptation, gender equality, health, water security, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions.” said Dr. George Wamukoya, OGW, Team Lead, AGNES. “Through dialogue, collaboration, and determination, we endeavour to chart a path towards resilience, sustainability, and equitable development. Let us seize this opportunity to make a tangible difference in the fight against climate change.”

Climate change and health is also gaining traction in global climate change discourse. During COP28, 143 parties signed the United Arab Emirates Declaration on Climate and Health, which called on countries, to work towards ensuring better health outcomes, including through the transformation of health systems to be climate-resilient, low-carbon, sustainable and equitable, and to better prepare communities and the most vulnerable populations for the impacts of climate change.

Desta Lakew, Amref Health Africa Group Director of Partnerships and External Affairs said:

“AMREF Health Africa stands at the forefront of this critical dialogue, advocating for greater recognition of health considerations within climate negotiations. With rising temperatures exacerbating disease burdens and threatening food security, the time for action is now. We urge increased interdisciplinary collaboration, investment in research, and political support to ensure that health remains central to climate discourse. Together, let us pave the way for a resilient future where the well-being of people and planet go hand in hand.

The Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), one of the partners present at the meeting pledged to leverage its convening power by facilitating broad-based consultations on adaptation issues at SB60 and engaging with negotiation blocks. It also aims to anchor key agendas legislatively through platforms like the Pan African Parliament and other networks, while providing a unified platform for African non-state actors.

“Additionally, PACJA will co-host Africa Climate Talks with United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to amplify messaging and support the Keep Your Promise Campaign for increased adaptation financing, said Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director, PACJA.

The meeting is expected to have 4 key outcomes that include, a strategy and approach for African negotiators to engage in various segments, draft submissions on the global goals on adaptation and gender, draft texts and talking points on adaptation and increased awareness on the priority areas of interest within the climate change space for African countries.