The 2023 African Climate Summit, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 4 to 6, was a major event for the African continent. The continent’s leaders took this opportunity to emphasize to developed countries the importance of paying $100 billion in annual funding. This fund, envisaged to support both adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its effects, is crucial to enable African countries to address the environmental challenges they face.
In the Nairobi Declaration, voted unanimously by all African countries, leaders called on developed countries to honor their commitments on climate finance. They also called for urgent reform of the multilateral financial system to enable financing for climate mitigation and adaptation projects. This desire displayed by African leaders to form a united front to fight climate change is a strong signal sent to the international community.
The Congolese Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, welcomed the conclusions of the Nairobi Declaration and highlighted the voice of the Democratic Republic of Congo in this debate. He highlighted his country’s potential, particularly in terms of energy transition minerals, carbon capture and green energy production. However, he also highlighted the challenges of transforming this potential into reality for the Congolese populations. He insisted on the importance of solidarity between countries to preserve natural resources, particularly the forest, and fight against poaching.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, has pledged to mobilize the necessary resources to support African efforts in the fight against climate change. He stressed the importance of keeping the spirit of Nairobi alive within the Commission, in order to contribute as much as possible to the mobilization and unification of African voices.
The 2023 African Climate Summit therefore allowed African countries to make their voices heard and make strong commitments to fight climate change. This collective mobilization is essential to guarantee sustainable development in Africa and protect populations from the impact of environmental upheavals. It is now essential that developed countries honor their financial commitments and provide effective support to African countries in their fight against climate change. With this unification of voices and this displayed determination, Africa is showing its commitment to a more sustainable and resilient future.