By Abbas Nazil
African climate negotiators have called on young people, governments and international partners to strengthen collaboration and promote practical climate solutions ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Türkiye and COP32 in Ethiopia in 2027.
The Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), Dr Nana Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, made the call at the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) Africa 2026 in Accra, Ghana, where he stressed the need to translate climate negotiations into practical actions that improve the resilience and livelihoods of African communities.
Amoah urged young climate advocates to move beyond participation in international climate meetings by developing evidence-based recommendations, conducting credible research and engaging constructively with policymakers to influence decisions affecting the continent.
The conference, held under the theme “Driving Integrated Solutions across Africa’s Climate Agenda for Impact, Resilience and Justice,” focused on connecting Africa’s climate priorities with practical interventions at national, regional and community levels.
Addressing diplomats, policymakers and youth delegates, the AGN chair said climate change should not be treated solely as an environmental issue because its effects extend to food security, water availability, energy access, public health and economic development.
He explained that addressing these interconnected challenges required coordinated action across government policies, regional cooperation and international climate negotiations.
According to Amoah, Africa’s negotiating priorities include climate change adaptation, predictable climate finance, mechanisms for addressing loss and damage, technology transfer and a just energy transition.
He emphasised that African countries should be supported to pursue their development goals while responding to a climate crisis to which they have contributed relatively little.
He also highlighted the need for predictable funding and adequate technical capacity to enable African countries and communities to implement effective adaptation measures.
Amoah said international partners and institutions must recognise the continent’s development needs and ensure that climate commitments translate into meaningful support for vulnerable populations.
The AGN represents the collective negotiating interests of African countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), making its priorities central to the continent’s engagement in global climate diplomacy.
The negotiator also called attention to the role of Africa’s large youth population in driving innovation, mobilising communities and conducting technical research on renewable energy, environmental governance and climate adaptation.
However, he cautioned that youth involvement should not be measured merely by the number of young people attending climate conferences.
He said young advocates needed the knowledge, preparation and skills to contribute meaningfully to negotiations and influence the substance of decisions.
“The objective is not simply to have more young people present in climate diplomacy, but to strengthen their capacity to contribute to the substance of the decisions being made,” Amoah said.
He encouraged youth delegates to study negotiating texts, undertake credible research and present well-supported proposals capable of influencing climate policies and international agreements.
He further urged governments and institutions to remain receptive to evidence and recommendations presented by younger generations, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for youth contributions to inform decision-making.
As preparations advance for COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, Amoah challenged participants at the Accra conference to develop clear and actionable recommendations that could inform national policies and strengthen Africa’s negotiating positions.
COP31 is scheduled to take place from November 9 to 20, 2026, while COP32 is expected to be hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2027.
The upcoming conferences offer African countries and youth advocates opportunities to push for stronger international cooperation, improved access to climate finance and more effective responses to the effects of global warming.
Amoah reaffirmed the AGN’s commitment to collaboration with African institutions and international partners, calling for youth participation to be incorporated meaningfully into collective climate action.
He said sustained cooperation and practical implementation would be essential to ensuring that African communities receive the support required to strengthen long-term resilience against climate change.
