African leaders strengthen climate finance cooperation at CAHOSCC Meeting

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

African heads of state and government have reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced cooperation on climate action, following deliberations at the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) meeting held on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The meeting, chaired by President William Ruto, brought together leaders and key stakeholders to review progress and align priorities on Africa’s climate agenda. During the session, the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) report was presented to member states, providing an update on policy developments and implementation efforts across the continent.

Discussions centred on the urgent need to scale climate finance and reinforce institutional capacity. Leaders resolved to deepen collaboration in mobilising financial resources and strengthening governance frameworks to support Africa’s climate change priorities, particularly in adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development.

Member states also welcomed Ethiopia’s upcoming presidency of the UNFCCC COP32, expressing collective support and emphasising the significance of the conference for the continent. Leaders underscored that COP32 would represent an “African COP,” highlighting expectations for stronger representation of Africa’s interests in global climate negotiations.

In the course of the meeting, Ghana was acknowledged for being entrusted with the responsibility of leading Africa’s climate change negotiators for the 2026–2027 period. The move reflects continued efforts to coordinate Africa’s negotiating position on critical issues such as climate finance, technology transfer, and loss and damage.

South Africa, for its part, expressed appreciation to African countries for their backing of its G20 Presidency, reinforcing the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing climate and development challenges.

The CAHOSCC meeting forms part of broader engagements at the African Union Summit, where climate change remains a central policy priority amid growing environmental and economic pressures across the continent. Leaders reiterated the need for unified continental strategies to navigate the evolving global climate landscape.