President William Ruto who is the Coordinator of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, on September 22, 2026 convened a meeting of African Heads of State in New York on the margins of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly to advance Africa’s common position ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Turkey.
The meeting took place at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, as the African leaders also laid the groundwork for COP32, to be hosted by Ethiopia in 2027.
In his remarks, President Ruto underscored that Africa’s climate agenda must now move decisively from commitments to implementation.
He called for a renewed focus on climate finance, adaptation, resilience, renewable energy, clean cooking & climate-positive growth, stressing that Africa must help close the widening gap between global climate pledges & delivery.
He highlighted the need to translate the commitments on adaptation finance into a credible pathway for implementation, noting that Africa’s development & climate priorities are inseparable.
Ruto further emphasised the importance of mobilising investment to unlock Africa’s vast potential in renewable energy, green industrialisation, sustainable infrastructure and resilient economies.
Additionally, President Ruto reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Nairobi & Addis Ababa Climate Declarations and the vision of positioning climate action as an opportunity for investment, economic transformation, job creation and sustainable development.
He called for a strong and coordinated African voice at COP31, with a clear trajectory towards an African COP32 centred on adaptation, implementation, investment and climate-positive growth.
At the same time, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, stressed that Africa continues to bear a disproportionate share of the impacts of climate change despite its historically limited contribution to global emissions. He reaffirmed that Africa’s climate action must remain anchored in equity, climate justice and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The AUC Chairperson underscored Africa’s priorities ahead of COP31: significantly enhanced and accessible adaptation finance; effective support for addressing loss and damage; access to technology and capacity building; and just transition arrangements that expand access to affordable energy, create decent employment opportunities for African youth and women, and strengthen community resilience.
Youssouf highlighted the practical actions already being advanced by AU Member States, including regional power integration, renewable energy, clean cooking and climate-resilient agriculture.
He emphasised that ambition must be matched by the means of implementation, including accessible, affordable & predictable climate finance, while avoiding the exacerbation of Africa’s debt vulnerabilities.
Looking ahead to COP32 in Ethiopia, the AUC Chairperson reaffirmed the AU’s Commission’s commitment to working closely with Ethiopia, AU Member States & partners to advance a unified African agenda & ensure that the continent’s priorities, experiences & solutions are firmly reflected in global climate action.
