Egyptian Environment Minister Manal Awad addressed a high-level meeting of African environment ministers in Antalya, emphasizing that African countries should not take on additional climate obligations without necessary financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. Awad called for adaptation finance to be tripled by 2035 and for greater resources to address loss and damage. Her remarks were made on the sidelines of COP31, where officials discussed coordinating Africa's positions during the final phase of climate negotiations.
Awad stressed that the success of COP31 should be measured by its ability to translate existing commitments into tangible action and implementation, rather than producing additional pledges unsupported by adequate financing and delivery mechanisms. Egypt and the African Group are working to ensure developed countries uphold their climate-finance obligations under Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, with funding that is concessional, predictable, and accessible. Awad prioritized grants and financing mechanisms that do not add to African countries' debt burdens.
Climate adaptation is an existential priority for Africa, Awad said, requiring a clear pathway to triple adaptation finance by 2035 and progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation and the Baku Adaptation Roadmap. She also urged greater funding for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, alongside faster and more direct access to its resources for developing countries and climate-vulnerable communities. Awad emphasized that Africa's shift towards lower-carbon economies must not come at the expense of its right to development.
Awad expressed concern over unilateral climate-related trade measures, warning that such policies should not become instruments of trade restriction against developing countries or undermine Africa's ability to participate in green industries, technologies, and value chains. She called for a balance between mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, loss and damage, technology transfer, and capacity building, while upholding the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.
UN Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen highlighted Africa's need for increased financing for adaptation and loss and damage, noting the continent faces growing climate impacts despite contributing a relatively small share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Andersen also highlighted Africa's potential in renewable energy and green development. African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment Moses Vilakati called for stronger climate governance across the continent.
The meeting also heard from Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, who called for closer coordination among African environment, finance, planning, and economic development ministers. She stressed the need to integrate climate risks into national economic policies and budgets. Preparations are underway for a joint meeting of African environment, finance, planning, and economic development ministers in Addis Ababa in March 2027.
Participants agreed to maintain political and technical coordination throughout the remaining COP31 negotiations, focusing on climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and the just transition. Ghanaian Environment, Science and Technology Minister Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings called for existing climate-finance commitments to be honored and for resources to support the implementation of nationally determined contributions.
Key points
- Egypt's Environment Minister Manal Awad calls for tripling adaptation funding by 2035.
- African countries should not take on additional climate obligations without necessary financing, technology transfer, and capacity building.
- COP31 success should be measured by translating existing commitments into tangible action and implementation.
