The AMCEN Major groups meeting underway with a fresh call to AMCEN20

Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) joined the rest of the UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders in the Regional Consultative Meeting of Africa, ahead of the 20th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) from 10^th -13^th July 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Convening from 12–18 July under the theme “Four Decades of Environmental Action in Africa: Reflecting on the Past and Imagining the Future”, AMCEN comes a few months before the second edition of the Africa Climate Summit, which will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in September 2025.

The AMCEN Major Groups convening in Nairobi, Kenya, involve the organised participation of various civil society sectors and stakeholders in the decision-making processes of the conference. These groups include women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local authorities, workers, businesses and industry representatives, and the scientific community. They all participate under the umbrella of the Africa Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS).

PACJA has been accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since December 2015. This year, celebrates 10 years of its contribution to AMCEN processes.  This accreditation grants PACJA observer status at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and its subsidiary bodies, allowing them to participate in and contribute to discussions related to environmental policy and action.

During the opening remarks, Dr Rose Mwebaza, the Director and representative for Africa said noted existing environmental concerns, highlighting how humanity is ‘suffering the planet dry’ and ‘killing ourselves along with the planet’ through the destruction of forests and natural environments. She emphasised the concept of ‘Mother Nature,’ underscoring humanity’s reliance on the planet for survival and the dire consequences of its destruction.

Speaking to participants, Mr Charles Mwangi, head of Programme and research at PACJA, reminded that every year, climate impacts destroy homes, erase livelihoods, displace communities, and deepen cycles of poverty and inequality.

According to the IPCC, Africa has already suffered annual losses of $7 billion due to climate change between 2010 and 2019. Under a high-emissions scenario, this could rise to $50 billion per year by 2040, wiping out up to 4% of Africa’s annual GDP growth.

Charles said that despite contributing the least to global emissions, we are forced to maneuver through this life-threatening calamity in the reality of inadequate financing and unjust systems.

“We remain hopeful that the upcoming 20th session of AMCEN will be different, as African Ministers will be pragmatic in their resolutions, which is pivotal in unlocking the potential that this continent is yet to unleash in tackling the existential threats facing its people,” said Charles Mwangi.

Fati N’Zi Hassane, Director of Oxfam Africa, said that despite the alarming emission rate by developed countries, Africa is bearing the burden, though it contributes only 4%. She strongly called for holding wealthy polluters accountable for their significant contribution to the climate crisis. She pointed out that the top 1% emits more greenhouse gases than the poorest 66%, underscoring a need for tax mechanisms targeting these high emitters.

She suggested that Revenue generated from taxing the wealthy should be directed toward supporting African nations in transitioning to sustainable economies, treated not as aid but as a duty of the wealthy nations.

NIALL O’ CONNOR, The Centre Director SEI-Africa, emphasised the empowerment through Collaboration, where he highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches, integrating different sectors, and building partnerships among governments, civil society, and youth to effectively address environmental challenges.

Niall also recommended the need for integrated Solutions with a focus on developing transdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving, especially in areas like water management, energy equity, and food systems, ensuring that solutions are supported by scientific evidence.

The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) is jointly organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the African Union (AU), along with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency.