The Republic of Guinea and the Republic of Djibouti have concluded a cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya. The agreement was signed by Fassou Théa, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Guinea, and Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Djibouti. This partnership aims to strengthen technical and institutional cooperation, facilitate the sharing of expertise, and promote the development of harmonized Sovereign Carbon Initiatives tailored to their respective national priorities.
The agreement is built on Djibouti's pioneering Sovereign Carbon Initiative, launched in 2023, which requires a contribution from greenhouse gas emitters in the maritime transport and aviation sectors to support climate change adaptation efforts and ecological and energy transition in the countries where they operate. This initiative is based on the polluter-pays principle and has inspired similar initiatives in Gabon in 2025 and Liberia, with the support of the Africa Sovereign Carbon Registry Foundation.
The Africa Sovereign Carbon Registry Foundation works to promote a harmonized mechanism across the African continent. The progressive adoption of this common approach by several countries reflects the emergence of an African coalition in support of climate justice, carbon sovereignty, and increased access to climate finance. This coalition aims to promote solutions that facilitate access to climate finance, unlock the continent's carbon potential, and reinforce national sovereignty as part of a shared commitment to climate justice.
The agreement between Guinea and Djibouti illustrates the growing determination of African nations to strengthen their South-South cooperation. As Africa prepares to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, this growing momentum demonstrates the increasing willingness of African countries to advance concrete, operational, and harmonized solutions in the fields of climate finance and carbon sovereignty.
The cooperation agreement is expected to promote the development of Initiatives Carbone Souveraines harmonized and adapted to national priorities. By working together, Guinea and Djibouti aim to reinforce their technical and institutional cooperation, favoring the sharing of expertise and the promotion of sustainable development.
The emergence of this African coalition is seen as a significant step towards achieving climate justice and promoting sustainable development in Africa. The cooperation agreement between Guinea and Djibouti is a notable example of the continent's growing commitment to addressing climate change and promoting carbon sovereignty.
As the continent looks forward to hosting COP32 in 2027, the momentum generated by this cooperation agreement is expected to continue, with more countries likely to join the coalition and work towards a common goal of promoting climate justice, carbon sovereignty, and sustainable development.
Key points
- The agreement between Guinea and Djibouti aims to strengthen technical and institutional cooperation on Sovereign Carbon Initiatives and carbon market development.
- Djibouti's Sovereign Carbon Initiative, launched in 2023, has inspired similar initiatives in Gabon and Liberia.
- The African coalition emerging from this cooperation aims to promote climate justice, carbon sovereignty, and increased access to climate finance.
