Athi river: Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, has urged stronger international support and financing to scale up Africa's climate adaptation and resilience efforts. He emphasized the need for Africa to transition from merely recognizing the importance of adaptation to implementing fully financed, country-owned resilience programs. Dr. Amoah highlighted that adaptation should be central to the continent's climate justice and development agenda.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Amoah addressed the 2026 Pan African Coalition for Adaptation and Resilience (PACAR) workshop, which took place in Athi River, Kenya. He stressed the importance of strengthening Africa's negotiating position by setting clearer priorities linked to implementation, especially as climate negotiations approach in Bonn and the lead-up to COP31 and COP32. Dr. Amoah noted that climate impacts are severely affecting various sectors across Africa, including food systems, water security, public health, and national economies.
Dr. Amoah pointed out that African farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and urban households, among others, are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change. He highlighted the interconnected vulnerabilities exposed by drought and flooding in areas such as agriculture, health, sanitation, housing, and local government finances. To address these challenges, he called for integrated adaptation strategies to strengthen early warning systems, climate-proof infrastructure, protect ecosystems, and expand social protection systems before crises escalate into humanitarian emergencies.
On climate finance, Dr. Amoah criticized the limited accessibility of funds, noting that many do not reach the vulnerable communities that need them most. He emphasized the importance of localizing the delivery of climate finance, as the impacts of adaptation are felt at the local level. Dr. Amoah also stressed that discussions on the Global Goal on Adaptation under SB64 should reflect African realities, including food systems, water, health, settlements, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Dr. Amoah acknowledged the role of PACAR and civil society in connecting negotiations to community experiences and amplifying Africa's negotiating voice. He urged participants to refine Africa's adaptation narrative and align negotiation outcomes with on-the-ground implementation ahead of upcoming climate talks. Looking ahead to COP32 in Addis Ababa, Dr. Amoah expressed the need for adaptation to receive greater global urgency, stating that COP32 should be remembered as a pivotal moment when African priorities shape the global climate agenda.