Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto has convened the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to strengthen Africa’s common position ahead of COP31 and begin preparations for COP32.

The meeting took place on 22 September 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.

In his capacity as Kenya’s president and coordinator of CAHOSCC, Ruto called for a stronger and more coordinated African voice at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. He also urged a renewed focus on climate finance, adaptation, resilience, renewable energy, clean cooking and climate-positive growth.

From commitments to implementation

Ruto said Africa’s climate agenda must move decisively from commitments to implementation. He also linked the continent’s development priorities directly to its climate objectives, particularly in discussions on adaptation finance.

The meeting was also intended to lay the groundwork for COP32, which the source says Ethiopia will host in 2027. Addis Ababa was identified in the discussions as the destination toward which African priorities would progress after COP31.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted a set of priorities for the negotiations, including increased finance for adaptation, support to address loss and damage, improved access to technology and capacity building, and arrangements for a just transition.

Youssouf said Africa continues to experience a disproportionate share of climate change impacts despite the continent’s historically limited contribution to global emissions. He reaffirmed that African climate action should be guided by equity, climate justice and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

He also stressed that climate ambition must be matched with finance that is accessible, affordable and predictable, while avoiding measures that deepen Africa’s debt vulnerabilities.

AU and UN support

Youssouf reaffirmed the African Union Commission’s intention to work with Ethiopia, AU member states and partners on a unified African agenda. The meeting emphasized continued coordination, early engagement and coalition-building ahead of the climate talks.

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 as they advance their priorities from COP31 in Antalya toward COP32 in Addis Ababa.

The discussions referenced the Nairobi and Addis Ababa Climate Declarations as strategic points for Africa’s climate agenda. They also noted ongoing efforts by African Union member states involving regional power integration, renewable energy, clean cooking and climate-resilient agriculture.