Africa Climate Summit 2: Mobilising Action Ahead of COP30

Africa, with a population of 1.5 billion is projected to become home to one-fifth of the world’s population by 2030, yet the continent only contributes 3.7% of global emissions. Despite this, Africa suffers disproportionately the effects of climate change. According to the UN World Meteorological Organization “extreme weather and climate change impacts are hitting every single aspect of socio-economic development in Africa and exacerbating hunger, insecurity and displacement".

With just over two months until COP30, the Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS2) commences, spotlighting the continent’s growing momentum in advancing the climate agenda and sustainable development priorities. ACS-2 is hosted this year by the government of Ethiopia (GoE) in collaboration with the African Union (AU), held at the Addis International Convention Center (AICC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Richard Muyungi, the climate envoy and adviser to the president of Tanzania, said “there has been an increase of investments in some areas, but Africa still needs a lot of financing to be able to be part of the global solution, and to address the challenges we are facing.”. 

​The summit convenes an influential mix of heads of state, policymakers, and investors, with high-profile speakers including H.E. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD), Prime Minister of Ethiopia; H.E. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC; and H.E. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General. ACS-2 is more than a regional gathering, it is a defining platform to advance just energy transitions, strengthen climate-resilient economies, and shape Africa’s priorities in the lead-up to COP30 in Belém, Brazil.