The Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, has called on African countries to shift from strong negotiating positions to delivering concrete, financed climate action as global talks intensify.
Speaking at the Pre-SB64 Strategy Meeting in Nairobi, convened by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support, Amoah said Africa’s influence in international climate negotiations must translate into real-world impact.
“Africa must move from positions to power,” he said, stressing that outcomes must be “financed, implemented, and felt on the ground.”
The meeting comes ahead of the 64th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process, a key milestone in preparations for upcoming global climate negotiations.
Amoah identified climate finance as the continent’s most pressing concern, warning that the gap between commitments and actual delivery remains significant. African countries have long pushed for scaled-up, predictable and accessible funding to support adaptation and mitigation efforts, but progress has been limited.
“The gap between commitments and delivery is still too wide. Africa must approach this with a stronger, more coordinated strategy,” he said.
The AGN Chair noted that the Nairobi discussions build on a recent strategic session held in Accra, where African negotiators aligned priorities and strengthened coordination ahead of future Conferences of the Parties (COPs). Those engagements are part of a broader effort to consolidate Africa’s voice and improve its bargaining power in global climate diplomacy.
He emphasised that internal cohesion, technical capacity and unified positions are critical to influencing outcomes in multilateral negotiations.
“We recognised that, to be effective externally, we must strengthen our internal coordination, technical depth, and ability to act as a unified group,” Amoah said.
He also highlighted the growing role of AGNES in supporting African negotiators with technical expertise, describing it as central to how the continent prepares for engagement within the UN climate process.
Reflecting on outcomes from COP30, Amoah pointed to progress on gender-responsive climate action and ongoing work on agriculture under the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work programme, both of which are seen as critical for Africa’s development and food systems.
He further referenced opportunities emerging under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which enables carbon market mechanisms that could unlock investment flows into African economies.
However, he cautioned against treating these issues in isolation.
“Agriculture, gender, finance, and just transition must come together in a coherent African approach. Implementation does not happen in silos,” he said.
Looking ahead to SB64, Amoah said the focus must shift from reiterating principles to defining clear implementation pathways, including how finance will be accessed and how national systems will deliver results.
He added that preparations must also begin for COP32, which is expected to be hosted in Africa, describing it as a strategic opportunity for the continent to shape the global climate agenda.
“With COP32 to be hosted in Africa, we have a real opportunity to shape the global climate agenda from our own context. That opportunity will not organise itself,” he said.
The AGN represents 54 African countries and works to advance the continent’s interests in international climate negotiations, particularly around finance, adaptation and equity.
The Pre-SB64 meeting in Nairobi brought together negotiators and experts to align positions on key thematic areas, including agriculture, gender and carbon markets, as Africa seeks to strengthen its role in driving implementation-focused climate action.
