CSOS consolidates Africa common position ahead of the Launch of COP28

Members drawn from African civil society organizations under PACJA convened in Dubai in COP28 preparatory workshop that assessed challenges and progress made from the previous COP 27. More than 70000 delegates from parties, and UN, observers are gathering for the 28^th session of UNFCCC in Dubai from November 30 to December 30.

The objective of the pre-COP convening was to consolidate and validate our COP 28 common position for Africa – and call on Parties to transcend pledges and “Keep the Promise” on actions needed to address the climate crisis.

Speaking at the opening session, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA reminded that the COP28 is taking place amid unprecedented impacts of Climate change that are affecting communities in developing countries, particularly in Africa. “The COP is happening on a backdrop of serious concerns.  As I was coming 70 people died and thousands displaced because of floods. When it floods, we suffer, when there is drought we suffer” Mithika said before adding that despite the current occurrence that caused heavy economic and non-economic loss and damage, there are contradictory affirmations from global responsible opinion on how they met climate finance pledges they committed for mentioning the recent report of OECD indicating that the latter made a commitment 100 billion USD.

The greenwashing and repositioning of global corporations at summits of this kind was raised by Ruchi Tripathi, the Global Practice Lead of Resilient Livelihoods at VSO.  On the same, Ruchi said that it is evident during this COP the same would be present to divert attention. “In all the summits we have companies that are selling themselves doing business and selling their technologies. You need to check on their relevance,” cautioned Ruchi.

In Climate negotiation processes, Africa is represented by the Africa Group of Negotiators. While this year COP28 will focus much on assessing the progress of parties in reducing global warming as stipulated in Paris Agreement, it was argued that much is still to be done in adaptation. To Prof. Seth Osafo, promises were not just made in 2015 but have been there since the 1900s.

“We can’t just seat, we need to adapt in order to survive.  From 90 promises were announced but developed countries have not met their commitment including finance and technology transfer. I know the process you chose is right and will have effects on the discussions, “said Prof Osafo.

Promises made in Paris Agreement included that developed countries should assist developing countries in addressing the adverse impacts of Climate change through Climate finance. However, a little has been done.  Peter Odhengo, the Coordinator of African Climate Funds National Designated Authorities in Africa (AFDAN) said the prominent premise that was not made is the implementation of Paris Agreement as it encompasses what parties agreed.

As the parties convene, Dr. Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary of, State Department of Foreign Affairs urged that the Loss and Damage fund needs to be operationalized in a manner that accords with the principles enunciated in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Countries of the global North and the global South must come together in solidarity to settle the sticking points in this debate.