Ruto Leads African Climate Coordination Ahead of COP31

Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto has convened the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change to coordinate the continent’s priorities ahead of COP31 and begin preparations for COP32.

The meeting took place at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. COP31 is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, while Ethiopia is expected to host COP32 in 2027.

Focus on implementation

Ruto, who coordinates the committee, called for Africa’s climate agenda to move beyond commitments and focus more strongly on implementation. The priorities he identified included climate finance, adaptation, resilience, renewable energy, clean cooking and climate-positive growth.

He also highlighted the need for a credible pathway to put adaptation-finance commitments into practice. Ruto said Africa’s development priorities and climate priorities are inseparable, according to the report.

The Kenyan president also urged African countries to maintain a strong and coordinated position at COP31 and work toward an African COP32 agenda centred on adaptation, implementation, investment and climate-positive growth.

AU priorities for COP31

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, said Africa faces a disproportionate share of the effects of climate change despite the continent’s historically limited contribution to global emissions.

Youssouf reaffirmed that African climate action should be guided by equity, climate justice and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. He identified significantly increased and accessible adaptation finance, effective support for loss and damage, technology access, capacity building and just transition arrangements as priorities ahead of COP31.

The AU Commission chairperson also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to work with Ethiopia, AU member states and partners toward a unified African agenda.

Support from UN climate secretariat

Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, reaffirmed the readiness of the UN Climate Change Secretariat to support African countries in advancing their priorities.

That support is expected to extend from COP31 in Antalya toward COP32 in Addis Ababa, according to the report.

The discussions also referenced the Nairobi and Addis Ababa Climate Declarations as strategic points for Africa’s climate agenda. The report said African countries are advancing work on regional power integration, renewable energy, clean cooking and climate-resilient agriculture, while climate action should avoid worsening debt vulnerabilities.