Author: Ian Henderson

AGN Chair, Dr Richard Muyungi, on the Group’s Priorities Ahead of Upcoming Climate Talks in Bonn

We spoke with the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), and Climate Envoy and Advisor to the President of Tanzania, Dr Richard Muyungi on the climate talks in Bonn between 16 and 26 June 2025.

Climate change hits African cities. Are they ready?

Urban populations and areas across Africa are booming, with the potential to drive development, improve standards of living and boost economic growth – but climate change looms overhead. Can cities balance rapid urbanisation with resilience building and adaptation?

DRC and Rwanda Shake Hands with US in Pledge of Peace for Critical Minerals

The DRC and Rwanda have agreed on a pathway to peace by 2 May, but it follows on the back of both countries discussing critical minerals deals with the US.

African Citizens Want their Own Governments to Lead on Climate Action

A new paper has found that African citizens place primary responsibility on their own governments to respond to climate change, and not historic emitters. The most vulnerable also have low expectations that their governments will respond adequately.

African countries argue for climate justice at International Court of Justice

African countries have invited the ICJ to recognise an international law legal duty on states to reduce their GHG emissions and to pay reparations, including in the form of debt relief of cancellation, in one of the biggest cases ever before the court.

Gridlock as Riyadh COP16 Fails to Deliver Drought Protocol Deal

The recent desertification COP in Riyadh under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification failed to deliver what African countries wanted most: a legally binding protocol on drought, marking another disappointing outcome from the Rio Conventions this year. 

Global Goal on Adaptation: The Scores and Misses in Baku 

COP 29 in Baku brought some clarity to the technical process and work on indicators within the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), but a major question mark hangs over the political impetus underpinning the discussions, especially after the largely disappointing outcome on finance that marked the COP. 

What happened with the Global Goal on Adaptation at COP28?

Taken together, the outcome on the global goal on adaptation misses an opportunity of facilitating climate resilient development in developing countries. In this overview, CSIR  holistic climate change impact area manager and South African Presidential Climate Commission member, Dr Brian Mantlana, unpacks the outcomes of COP28 for the goal, arguing its laughable timelines and the lack of financial commitments makes it a farce.

African Negotiators Push Back on Key Elements of the Global Stocktake Report

The recent synthesis report for the Global Stocktake hints at some consensus around fossil fuel phaseouts. But African negotiators are displeased with its approach to equity and differentiation, and how it treats finance and technology transfer.

African Countries call for Finance Reform at the UNGA, but Lack of GCF Pledges is Worrying

African countries made impassioned and detailed statements on how the global finance architecture should change at this year’s UN General Assembly. The SDG Summit also highlighted key climate finance reforms needed. However, action was lacking at the Climate Ambition Summit, where GCF pledges were underwhelming.