ACS-NSAs Statement

As Non-State Actors, we are deeply concerned about the impacts of the climate crisis on our continent and its people. We are witnessing the devastating effects of droughts, floods, cyclones, desertification, food insecurity, displacement, and conflicts. We are also aware of the historical and current responsibilities of the developed countries in causing and exacerbating this crisis and their failure to provide adequate support to the most vulnerable countries and communities.

The Africa Climate Summit, scheduled for September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, is a unique opportunity for the continent, through its leaders, to raise the urgency of addressing the climate emergency and protecting the rights and livelihoods of its citizens. It is also an opportunity to build momentum and solidarity for the African agenda at COP28 and beyond by highlighting African countries’ common interests and aspirations in achieving a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive development.

We have been steadfast in advocating a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future that respects the rights and dignity of all people.  In the past several weeks, we held direct and indirect engagements with the Kenyan Government, the African Union Commission and the larger ClimDev-Africa Initiative under the aegis of an independent Non-State Actors’ Committee, which was established to ensure that the summit reflects the voices and aspirations of African people.  Despite these engagements and the evidence provided by the latest science, we are worried that the summit may fall short of these aspirations.

Therefore, we have formulated a set of demands or redlines that we expect the African leaders to uphold and champion at the summit. Read More here