Introduction

An outcome of the first earth conference, the UNFCCC 1992 World Summit on Sustainable Development, also referred to as the Rio Earth Summit founding document, “Our Common Future” was characterized by shared concerns about the global environment and the need for collaborative efforts to respond to the emerging challenges of Global Environmental Change. It captured the commonality of global environmental concerns and the spirit of shared responsibility for the earth's future. The Rio Principles also reflected and sought to build on the shared concerns, notably, the Principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). This principle has, however, not been honored by the global north, a sphere most responsible for the climate crisis.

Under the theme of the year, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” the Thirty-eighth (38th) Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government was held in an atmosphere where climate governance is dominated by contestations particularly between developed and developing countries. These contestations are reflected in the struggles over the interpretations of the various provisions of the Convention, the difficulties of constructing binding agreements on many issues such as financing, adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and the increasing volatility as evidenced at the recent UNFCCC COP29 in Azerbaijan. The call for justice and reparation for those who least contributed to climate change but bearing the brunt of its impact continued to be ignored from one COP to the other over the years, negating the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacity (CBDR-C).

Rationale

UNFCCC- COP29, with some disappointing outcomes especially on finance, loss and damage, just transition and adaptation, is now behind, but this only makes the beginning of another torturous journey to Belem, COP30, a journey that we must embark on together. We must strengthen our African solidarity and build partnerships between people, governments, civil society, religious groups and grassroots movements. 

The year 2025 presents clear opportunities for our influence, including the Turkey; World/ IMF annual meeting October; Climate finance COP in Paris; G20 convening in South Africa among others. These global events are critical in shaping climate space developments and, indeed the outcome of COP30 in Belem. The dialogue process around climate finance within the context of the quantum arrived at in Baku must be embedded in these major convening; of critical important is the agenda on capitalizing loss and damage considering that the global community will indulge in conversation on reparations in 2025.

Objectives 

1. To critically unpack key outcomes of UNFCCC-COP29, reflect on the upcoming Africa Climate Summit and assess Africa’s wins and misses in 2024.
2. To draw recommendations and contribute to the Climate Change Decisions of CAHOSCC and the thirty-eighth Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union
3. To extend outreach and interact with the delegates and political leaders in ways that reinforce and unify African stakeholders’ collective effort in shaping and influencing the global discourse on climate action.
4. To discuss and build consensus on the next steps towards, during, and beyond COP30.
5. Evaluate progress in addressing climate-induced WASH challenges and implementing regional frameworks for climate resilience. 
6. Discuss barriers to universal WASH access in the context of climate change, including policy gaps, financing shortfalls, and capacity constraints. 
7. Highlight innovative solutions and partnerships that leverage WASH interventions for enhanced climate adaptation and mitigation. 
8. Promote multisectoral partnerships and resource mobilization to strengthen WASH systems as a foundation for achieving SDG 3, SDG 5, and SDG 17.

Expected Outcomes

1. Deeper internalization of COP29 outcomes and implications for Africa, status of the continent in global climate discourse processes, and collective way forward for 2025 and beyond.
2. An outcome document with key recommendations and key messages to CAHOSCC and AU Assembly.
3. A deepened appreciation of the political economy of climate Action in Africa, the role of strategic African stakeholders, and how this can be strengthened.
4. Enhanced networking and synergy across geographies as a vibrant platform for 2025 interactions and engagements.
5. Contribution to the thematic review of the selected 11th ARFSD SDGs and Agenda 2063 priorities by emphasizing WASH linkages with SDG3 (good health and well-being), SDG5(gender equality), SDG8(decent work and economic growth), SDG14(life below water) and SDG17(partnership for the Goals).

Target Participants

1. Technical Experts 
2. Government and intergovernmental representatives
3. Non-State Actors (NGOs, Indigenous Groups, Women, Youth, Trade Unions, Farmers Groups, PWDS, Pastoralists, etc)
4. Private sector

Organizers 

• African Union Commission
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
• African Development Bank’

Partners

• Uganda Parliamentary Forum 
• Pan-Africa Climate Justice Alliance
• Global Centre on Adaptation
• Afrexim Bank

Documents

Concept Note