PACJA and ARIN Sign Strategic Partnership to Advance Climate Justice in Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | May 15, 2025 — In a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s climate resilience and institutional collaboration, the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) officially signed a strategic partnership agreement at the Azzeman Hotel in Addis Ababa. The event brought together civil society leaders, development partners, policy actors, and regional stakeholders committed to advancing climate justice across the continent.

The agreement was formally signed by Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA, and Prof. Johannes Atelah, Executive Director of ARIN, marking the institutionalization of a long-standing collaborative relationship rooted in mutual commitment to evidence-informed climate advocacy and inclusive development.

    “This partnership is a natural convergence of our visions. Africa’s climate response must be anchored in African-led research and grounded advocacy,” said Dr. Mwenda during the signing ceremony.

Strengthening Synergies Between Research and Advocacy

The partnership outlines several key areas of cooperation aimed at enhancing the integration of scientific research with grassroots mobilization and policy influence. These include:

• Joint research and documentation to inform policy-making and elevate African voices in global climate dialogues;
• Community and institutional capacity building, particularly for smallholder farmers, women, youth, and other marginalized groups;
• Promotion of inclusive technologies to support climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods;
• Professional training and knowledge exchange to reinforce regional expertise;
• Multi-level policy dialogues to ensure coherent engagement across national, regional, and global forums.

Prof. Atelah underscored ARIN’s dedication to enriching PACJA’s advocacy initiatives with robust, data-driven insights. He cited the Locally-led Adaptation Metrics for Africa (LAMA) and the forthcoming Africa State of Adaptation Report 2025 as flagship knowledge tools that can guide policy formulation and implementation.

    “The need to bridge the gap between knowledge production and policy processes has never been more urgent. This partnership enables us to ensure that science is not left behind in the climate justice movement,” Prof. Atelah affirmed.

Mobilizing Ahead of COP30 and Africa Climate Summit II

The signing comes at a critical juncture as Africa prepares for major climate milestones, including the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS II) and the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). The PACJA-ARIN partnership is expected to amplify Africa’s position by delivering actionable insights and fostering collaboration across sectors and regions.

Planned next steps include the rollout of joint programmes under the partnership framework, targeted engagement with grassroots platforms and regional networks, and coordinated mobilization toward Africa Climate Week 2025. The collaboration also seeks to contribute to long-term policy shifts that prioritize locally led adaptation and climate finance access for vulnerable communities.

The event concluded with a unifying message that captured the essence of the partnership:

    “In the climate justice movement, evidence is power. Together, PACJA and ARIN are bridging the gap between science and policy, between grassroots and global processes.”

About The Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN)

The Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) is a pan-African network of researchers and scholars dedicated to advancing impactful, policy-relevant research across the continent. ARIN’s work bridges science and development to address urgent challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and inclusive governance.