By Eddah Waithaka
Over 100 African climate experts, negotiators, and civil society representatives gathered at the Pullman Hotel in Nairobi this week for the Pre-SB 62 AGNES Strategy Meeting. The four-day event aimed at bolstering Africa’s negotiation strategies ahead of the 62nd Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) in June 2025.
Organized by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) in collaboration with key partners, the four-day meeting focuses on critical climate issues, including climate finance, agriculture, gender, and human mobility, while building on outcomes from COP29.
The meeting seeks to craft a unified African position for SB62 and COP30, ensuring the continent’s priorities are prominently represented on the global stage. Participants are engaging in plenary discussions and breakout sessions to develop strategic approaches, draft key submissions, and address implementation challenges.
Key Focus Areas
The discussions are centered on several pressing themes, including the operationalization of the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal for climate action in agriculture, progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), and the Baku Adaptation Roadmap.
Gender-responsive climate policies and the role of ocean ecosystems are also high on the agenda. Additionally, the meeting is exploring strategies to mobilize climate finance under the “Baku to Belém Roadmap to USD 1.3 trillion,” a critical initiative for supporting climate action in developing nations.
Stephen Muwaya, an Expert from AGRO-Resilience Advisory in Uganda, emphasized the importance of the meeting for Africa’s least developed countries (LDCs). “Africa has 54 countries, and 34 of them are LDCs. Many cannot meet the Convention’s requirements alone. By meeting here, we prepare joint submissions, build capacity, and ensure all countries benefit,” he said.
Building a Unified African Position
George Wamukoya, Team Lead at AGNES, highlighted the meeting’s role in preparing a common African position for the upcoming negotiations. “We are preparing submissions on agriculture, gender, global adaptation, climate finance, and human mobility. These are issues already affecting millions of Africans,” he said.
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Wamukoya also underscored AGNES’s role as a convener, bringing together negotiators, technical experts, and institutions to develop evidence-based positions. “When we go into negotiations, we must defend our positions with solid evidence. This meeting ensures we have that foundation,” he added.
Addressing Climate-Induced Challenges
The meeting is also addressing climate-induced human mobility, a growing concern across the continent. Participants are strategizing on how to support communities displaced by climate impacts while promoting resilience and sustainable development.
Looking Ahead
The Pre-SB 62 AGNES Strategy Meeting is a critical step in Africa’s climate action journey. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the event aims to enhance the continent’s preparedness for SB62 and COP30.
It also seeks to strengthen capacity-building processes, enabling African nations to implement climate projects and initiatives effectively over the next 30 years. As the meeting progresses, participants are optimistic about the outcomes. “This process is vital for Uganda and other LDCs. We are building resilience, mobilizing resources, and ensuring our voices are heard globally,” Muwaya concluded.
With climate change at the forefront of global discussions, Africa is taking decisive steps to secure a sustainable future for its people and ecosystems. The outcomes of this meeting will undoubtedly shape the continent’s approach to climate negotiations in 2025 and beyond.
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