By Abbas Nazil
The Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, Dr Nana Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, has called on African nations to strengthen unity and collective action in response to the declining spirit of global multilateral cooperation.
He made the appeal while addressing the first strategic meeting of the AGN under Ghana’s leadership, warning that Africa’s high vulnerability to climate impacts makes collaboration more critical than ever.
Dr Amoah stressed that the erosion of multilateralism poses a serious risk to the continent’s ability to secure fair outcomes in global climate negotiations.
According to him, Africa cannot afford a weakened international system at a time when climate change is intensifying threats to livelihoods, food security and development across the region.
He reaffirmed his commitment to mobilising the collective expertise within the AGN to ensure Africa maintains a strong, coordinated and influential voice on the global climate stage.
The AGN chair noted that unity among African negotiators remains the group’s greatest strength, especially as geopolitical and economic pressures reshape international climate diplomacy.
Dr Amoah said his leadership would focus on projecting Africa’s interests clearly and consistently despite growing challenges to global cooperation frameworks.
The strategic meeting, which was held virtually, marked the first major engagement under Ghana’s chairmanship of the AGN.
Discussions focused on preparations for the upcoming African Union Summit scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa from February 11 to 15, 2026.
Participants reviewed outcomes from the recent UN climate conference and assessed how they would influence Africa’s policy priorities and negotiation strategies.
The meeting also sought to consolidate AGN positions to guide strategic engagement during the African Union Summit and upcoming international climate forums.
Additionally, the group aligned the chair’s priority agenda with the perspectives of lead coordinators and country focal points across the continent.
The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change was established in 1995 to represent Africa’s collective interests in international climate negotiations.
The body serves as the technical arm of Africa’s three-tier negotiating structure at UN climate conferences and inter-sessional meetings.
Its mandate is to ensure that African countries speak with a unified voice in advocating for climate finance, adaptation support and equitable global climate policies.
Dr Amoah’s call for unity reflects growing concern that weakening multilateral cooperation could undermine progress on climate action and disproportionately harm vulnerable regions such as Africa.
He urged African countries to remain steadfast in collective engagement to safeguard the continent’s development goals and climate resilience in an increasingly uncertain global environment.