Hunan Province a powerhouse.

By VIOLET MENGO

Changsha, China

I arrived in Changasha in Hunan  Province today June 9, 2025 for a five day tour of the province under the media fellowship of the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC).

Hunan is located in the central part of China and in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Since most of its area is south of Dongting Lake, it is called “Hunan”.

The Xiangjiang River, the larges river in the province, runs through the whole territory, so it is shortly called “Xiang”,

Since the ancient times, hibiscus has been widely planted in Hunan. Mao Zedong even praised Hunan with a poem. “The land of hibiscus is bathed in the morning sun”, so it is also known as the “land of Hibiscus”.

Hunan is the hometown of great men and a place that has produced numerous military leaders. It has magnificent mountains and rivers and profound cultural heritage.

With a population of over 73 million, ranking eighth in China, its total area is 211, 800 square kilometres, ranking 10^th in China.

In 2024, its regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 5.3 trillion yuan ranking 10^th in China, with a year-on-year growth of 4.8 percent. The economic development shows the characteristics of “overall stability steady progress, structural optimisation and improved quality”.

Hunan has several characteristics. First, it faces unprecedented strategic opportunities. Since the 18^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited Hunan four times.

Strategic opportunities such as jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, the Yangtze River Economic Belt and high-quality development in central China are intertwined.

National level platforms like the Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone, the Pilot Zone for In Depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation and the World Computing Conference are gathering momentum.

Second, it has a solid industrial foundation. Hunan has six trillion- yuan industries, 16 hundred-billion-yuan industries and five national advanced manufacturing clusters.

The “4x4” modern industrial system is being accelerated, the low-altitude economy has created the Hunan model, green intelligent computing is accelerating its layout and the Intelligent empowerment for the ten thousand Enterprises” initiative is helping ten thousand enterprises take off.

Third, it has abundant innovation momentum. Hunan, ranking 5^th in China, the number of full-time students is 1.9 million, ranking 8^th in China. It boasts 3 “985 project universities, ranking third in China. The “4X4” Science and Technology Innovation Project is in full operation, the “1 +2” national laboratory system is being accelerated, the construction of Changsha as a global Research and Development hub and Xiangjiang Science City is in full swing. The investment in research and development funds of the whole society ranks nineth in China and second in central China.

Fourth, its investment environment has been upgraded. Expressways form a network, high speed railway form a loop and transportation hubs have taken shape. 

Electricity, computing power and power are providing efficient support . The Five-Good Parks are full of vitality, the Garden Hibiscus” fund is integrating forces and the Send Policies Solve Difficulties Services” action is helping enterprise wholeheartedly.

The business environment has achieved a three-year-level leap. The whole province and Changsha city continue to rank among the top in China and first in central China and western China.

I am glad to have visited Hunan Province for the second time, first being in 2012.

#chinadiaries #CIPCC #environmentaljournalist #traveldiaries #knowchina

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC): Benefits for Zambia

By VIOLET MENGO

Beijing, China

THE Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2025 meeting starts on June 10, 2025 in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will also attend the opening ceremony of the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.

 For Zambia, the Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry  Chipoka Mulenga is expected to attend the  2025 FOCAC.

FOCAC is a pivotal platform for diplomatic and economic engagement between China and African nations.

The FOCAC Beijing Summit was successfully held in September last year. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the summit and delivered a keynote speech. China and Africa reached extensive common understandings on joining hands to advance modernization and building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Established on October 2000, in Beijing, China, as a multilateral platform to strengthen diplomatic, economic and developmental ties between China and African nations, FOCAC aims to strengthen cooperation through dialogue, trade, investment and infrastructure development.

Since its inception, FOCAC has become a key mechanism for fostering Sino-African relations, promoting trade, investment and infrastructure development.

FOCAC was officially launched during the first Ministerial Conference held in Beijing from October 10–12, 2000.

Representatives from 44 African countries and Chinese leaders attended, setting the foundation for structured cooperation.

Since then, FOCAC summits have been held every three years, alternating between China and Africa. 

It operates under several core objectives including enhancing political cooperation where high-level diplomatic exchanges, promoting mutual understanding and policy alignment between China and African nations is fostered. 

The cooperation also boosts trade and investment where the forum encourages Chinese investments in Africa while facilitating African exports to China through tariff reductions and trade agreements. 

Infrastructure development is a major focus of FOCAC and the focus is on financing and constructing of roads, railways, ports and energy projects to drive economic growth. 

China supports African nations in developing manufacturing and processing industries to reduce reliance on raw material exports through industrialisation and job creation.

FOCAC has promoted education, healthcare and skills training through scholarships, medical missions and technology transfers in its social and human development objective.  

To ensure sustainable development, China collaborates with African countries on green energy projects, climate resilience and environmental protection. 

The reasons for the formation of FOCAC was to strengthen Diplomatic and Political ties. China sought to expand its global influence by deepening relations with Africa, a continent with significant geopolitical importance.

By establishing FOCAC, China aimed to counter western dominance: At the time, Western nations held considerable economic and political sway in Africa.

FOCAC provided an alternative partnership model based on mutual respect and "win-win" cooperation. 

Both China and African nations belonged to the Global South and FOCAC became a platform for collective bargaining in international affairs. 

China’s rapid industrialisation in the late 20th century created a demand for raw materials, which Africa possessed in abundance. FOCAC facilitated. 

African countries like Zambia (copper), Angola (oil), and the DRC (cobalt) became key suppliers for China’s growing economy. 

Before FOCAC, China-African trade was relatively small. The forum helped formalise trade agreements, leading to exponential growth—trade surged from $10 billion in 2000 to over $200 billion by 2023. 

Many African nations lacked adequate infrastructure, hindering economic growth. China, with its expertise in large-scale construction, used FOCAC to finance and build critical projects such as roads, railways, ports and energy plants through Chinese loans and grants. 

For enhanced regional connectivity, projects like the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) and Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway improved intra-African trade.

African economies were (and still are) heavily reliant on raw material exports. FOCAC was designed to encourage value addition. China invested in manufacturing and processing plants in Africa, such as Zambia’s copper refineries. 

FOCAC was established to transfer technology and skills through training programs and industrial parks which have been established to boost local expertise. 

China used FOCAC to position itself as a reliable partner, contrasting with Western conditional aid. Its key strategies included debt relief and grants. Unlike traditional lenders, China offered flexible financing terms.

China offered humanitarian aid where medical teams, scholarships and disaster relief improved China’s image in Africa. 

Zambia, as one of Africa’s key partners with China, has significantly benefited from FOCAC initiatives, particularly in infrastructure, mining, agriculture, and social development. 

The country has been an active participant in FOCAC since its inception. The country’s strategic location and rich mineral resources make it a key partner for China in Southern Africa.

Over the years, Zambia has secured numerous investments and development projects under FOCAC frameworks. 

One of Zambia’s most significant gains from FOCAC has been infrastructure modernisation. Chinese-funded projects under infrastructure development are roads and bridges.

The Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway, the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport expansion and the Kafue Hook Bridge have improved connectivity and trade. 

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), though initially built in the 1970s, has seen rehabilitation support from China to enhance regional trade. 

The Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station, financed by China, has boosted Zambia’s electricity generation capacity under the energy projects.

In the mining and economic diversification, Zambia’s economy heavily relies on copper mining and Chinese investments have revitalized the sector.

Companies like China Non-Ferrous Metals Mining Corporation (CNMC) operate mines in Zambia, providing jobs and technology transfers.

Additionally, FOCAC has encouraged value addition in mining, with Chinese firms investing in copper processing plants to reduce raw mineral exports. 

Through FOCAC, Zambia has benefited from agricultural modernisation initiatives to ensure food security. China has provided farming technology through training programs and machinery to improve productivity. 

The establishment of agricultural parks, such as the China-Zambia Agricultural Demonstration Centre, has enhanced crop yields and agribusiness opportunities.

In the education sector and Skills Development, FOCAC has facilitated educational exchanges, with thousands of Zambian students receiving scholarships to study in China.

Additionally, vocational training centres, such as the Zambia-China Vocational College, equip Zambians with technical skills in engineering, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), and manufacturing. 

China has been instrumental in improving Zambia’s healthcare system through medical teams where Chinese doctors regularly work in Zambian hospitals, offering specialised care. 

The construction of the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital in Lusaka was supported by China.  During COVID-19, China donated vaccines and medical supplies to Zambia for pandemic response.

Under FOCAC, Zambia has seen increased trade with China, exporting copper, tobacco and gemstones while importing machinery and electronics.

The Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, established in 2007 hosts over 60 companies and has created thousands of jobs. 

Despite the benefits, some concerns remain, including debt sustainability and ensuring that investments align with Zambia’s long-term development goals.

Moving forward, Zambia must negotiate favourable terms under FOCAC to maximise gains in industrialisation, job creation and technology transfer. 

FOCAC has played a transformative role in Zambia’s development, particularly in infrastructure, mining, agriculture and social services.

While challenges persist, the partnership continues to offer immense opportunities for economic growth and regional integration.

With strategic planning, Zambia can further leverage FOCAC to achieve sustainable development and prosperity. 

Over two decades later, FOCAC remains a cornerstone of China-Africa relations, driving development projects across the continent—including Zambia’s infrastructure boom and industrial growth.

While debates over debt sustainability persist, FOCAC’s role in reshaping Africa’s economic landscape is undeniable. 

 

 

Yunnan Coffee Processing Plant Company Limited: A Leader in China’s Coffee Industry 

VIOLET MENGO

Beijing, China

ONE of the highlights of my trip to Yunnan Province was visiting Yunnan Coffee Processing Plant Company Limited, a key player in China’s coffee industry. 

Yunnan produces over 95 percent of China’s coffee, with regions like Pu’er, Baoshan, Dehong, and Xishuangbanna being major growing areas. 

The province is renowned for its high-quality Arabica beans, attracting global brands like Starbucks, Nestlé, and Illy.  

Company Background  

Established in 1992 as a joint project between the Chinese Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Yunnan Coffee Processing Plant was China’s first modern coffee processing factory. 

Now a subsidiary of Yunnan Provincial Modern Agricultural Development Group, the company has over 30 years of experience in coffee processing.  

As a vice president unit of the Yunnan Coffee Industry Association, the company helps draft national coffee standards.

Its mission—“Revitalising agriculture with green development and benefiting the country and the people”—reflects its commitment to sustainability and quality.  

Processing Methods 

Yunnan’s coffee processing plants use three main methods:  

1. Washed (Wet) Processing – Common for export-grade beans, involving pulp removal and fermentation before drying.  

2. Natural (Dry) Processing – Cherries are dried whole, producing sweeter, fruitier flavors.  

3. Honey (Pulped Natural) Processing – A hybrid method where some mucilage is left on the beans for enhanced sweetness.  

Some specialty processors also experiment with anaerobic fermentation and other advanced techniques.  

Key Players and Brands 

- Starbucks Yunnan Coffee Project – Partners with local farmers to improve quality.  

- Nestlé Yunnan Coffee Development Program– Provides training and sources beans for instant coffee.  

- Local Brands – ManLao River Coffee(specialty-grade), AiNi Coffee (well-known Yunnan producer), and Sealanda (exporter).  

Challenges and  Future Trends  

Despite progress, challenges remain:  

- Quality Control – Many processors still focus on bulk commercial coffee, though specialty coffee is growing.  

- Sustainability Efforts– Farms are adopting eco-friendly methods like water-saving pulpers and solar drying.  

- Rising Domestic Demand – Chinese consumers are increasingly drinking locally produced specialty coffee.  

Yunnan Coffee Processing Plant Company Limited represents the evolution of China’s coffee industry, blending tradition with innovation. With growing global recognition and a focus on sustainability, Yunnan is set to become an even bigger name in specialty coffee.  

 June 5, 2025

World Environment Day: A Call to Action for a Healthier Planet 

By VIOLET MENGO

As we celebrate World Environment Day today, the urgency to protect our planet has never been greater.

Climate change, deforestation, pollution and biodiversity loss threaten the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

But amid these challenges lies an opportunity—a chance to rewrite our future through collective action. 

World Environment Day is not just a reminder of our environmental crises, it’s a global movement empowering individuals, communities and nations to take meaningful steps toward sustainability.

This World Environment Day, the spotlight is on one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time: “Ending Plastic Pollution: A call to Action”

Every year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally and a staggering 11 million tonnes end up in oceans, choking marine life, contaminating food chains and polluting ecosystems for centuries. 

But here’s the good news: We can change this. 

🔹Less than 10 percent of plastic is recycled—the rest lingers in landfills, rivers and oceans. 

🔹 Microplastics are now found in our blood, water, and even the air we breathe. 

🔹 Plastic production fuels climate change, relying on fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gases. 

This is not just an environmental issue—it’s a human health crisis. 

We won’t solve plastic pollution overnight, but every step counts.

You can be part of the solution by:

Refuse Single-Use Plastics – Say no to straws, plastic bags and disposable cutlery. Opt for reusable alternatives. 

Choose sustainable packaging – Support brands that use biodegradable or refillable containers. 

Recycle Right – Learn your local recycling rules to prevent contamination. 

Demand Change – Push for stronger policies on plastic bans and corporate accountability. 

Join Clean-ups – Participate in local beach, river, or neighborhood clean-ups. 

Individual actions matter, but we need governments and corporations to act faster: 

✅ Strict bans on unnecessary single-use plastics. 

✅ Investment in circular economies—where plastic is reused, not wasted. 

✅ Global treaties (like the UN’s Plastic Pollution Agreement) to hold polluters accountable. 

            Hope in Action

From zero-waste communities to innovative plastic-eating enzymes, solutions are emerging. The question is: Will we act in time? 

This World Environment Day, let’s commit to breaking free from plastic. Our planet shouldn’t pay the price for our convenience. 

#WorldEnvironmentDay #BeatPlasticPollution #PlanetVsPlastic #EndPlasticWaste #SustainableLiving 

Zambia Signs Bilateral Agreements to Support the Energy Sector

 

November 19, 2024 

VIOLET MENGO

Lusaka: THE 29^th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) has seen Zambia witnessed two landmark events towards article six cooperation of the Paris Agreement and continued action towards climate change.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) signed bilateral agreements with Norway and Sweden at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan under its current engagement with buyer countries for carbon credits.

On November 16, 2024, Government signed a bilateral agreement for Article 6 Cooperative Approaches with Norway.

Mike Mposha (left) with Mr Sandvik

The agreement was signed by Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment Mr Tore Onshuus Sandvik and Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Mposha.

The event was graced by other officials from both parties and supporting intergovernmental agencies at a momentous occasion that signifies cooperation towards climate action, emission reduction and achieving of global targets.

Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Mr Sandvik said that Norway believes cooperation under Article 6 can provide much needed finance for green investments in developing countries.

“Today, our countries are taking a major leap forward, paving the way for green investments in Zambia and a contribution to global mitigation ambitions,” he said.

Mr Mposha, the event was as a culmination of our respective preparations and efforts to ensure that we reach this milestone agreement.

On November 18, 2024 Government represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Dr Douty Chibamba signed a bilateral agreement with Sweden’s Swedish Energy Agency.

The event came after months of engagement with Sweden, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in August 2024 in Lusaka.

Zambia and Sweden

 The Swedish Energy Agency is one of Sweden’s   key expert government agencies which   promotes energy efficiency measures and   investments in renewable energy technologies   and is mandated to implement climate   cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris   Agreement.

 Acting Director General of the Swedish Energy   Agency Caroline Asserup, who signed on behalf   of the government of Sweden said “This   bilateral cooperation agreement is an important   step towards establishing concrete climate   projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions,   contribute to sustainable development and help   raise climate ambition in both Sweden and Zambia. We are pleased to further strengthen the cooperation between our two countries.” 

Mr Mposha, was one of the many dignitaries attending the signing ceremony.

He said “Our government is serious about participating in international carbon markets as an important avenue to achieve our nationally determined contributions, generate new carbon finance revenue streams, which will increase the country’s mitigation ambition and contribute to the sustainable development of our nation.”

The minister acknowledged both the Norwegian and the Swedish governments for their continued commitment towards climate action.

He further added that signing of the bilateral agreements would help Zambia as it opens up opportunities for public and private sector energy project developers to access carbon finance and pursue renewable energy power generation.

Both events were supported by the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) Program, led by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) with GFA Consulting Group and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre as the leading delivery partners in Zambia.

SPAR6C aims to catalyze investment in greenhouse emissions reductions by supporting its implementation countries to enable transactions of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) as allowed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Over the past two years, Zambia has progressed in the development of its carbon market framework and is in the process of developing first mitigation activities with the support of SPAR6C.

The Paris Agreement, signed by 197 countries in 2015, represents a historic global effort to combat climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Article 6 of the Paris agreement is the cornerstone for international cooperation, fostering global carbon market mechanisms that enable countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while fostering sustainable development.

Zambia is currently facing an energy deficit due to a combination of factors including a growing demand for electricity and limited investments in the energy sector.

These factors coupled with a severe drought and high dependence on hydropower, have drastically affected the capacity of its hydroelectric power plants to generate sufficient power to support economic growth.

Government, through the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, have been seeking alternatives and exploring renewable energy and energy efficiency options to support the country’s efforts in power generation and low carbon power sector development.

November 14, 2024

VIOLET MENGO

Lusaka

THE 29th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) opened on November 12, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan under the theme; “In solidarity for a Green World.”

Delegates have gathered for COP29, which has been dubbed the “Finance COP” due to its sharp focus on securing a robust climate finance agreement—the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), aimed at addressing the urgent need for climate adaptation and driving a global phase – out of fossil fuels including oil and gas, a backbone of many developed countries.

Climate finance, according to the UNFCCC, refers to local, national or transnational financing, drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that aimed at addressing climate change.

The Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance from Parties with more financial resources to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable.

For the African continent, COP29 is quite significant in a number of ways including the need for the realisation of the much-needed finance for adaptation and mitigation.

The African continent, just like other developing countries, look to COP29 to yield the desired finance from the developed countries for climate action.

When the African Heads of State and Governments gathered for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi, Kenya from September 4-6, 2023, the leaders called upon the global community to act with urgency in reducing emissions, fulfilling its obligations, honouring past promises, and supporting the continent in addressing climate change.

The leaders called for the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage fund as agreed at COP27 and resolved for a measurable Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) with indicators and targets to enable assessment of progress against negative impacts of climate change.

Some delegates

 
 Heads of State and Government also called for the strengthening     of    early warning systems and climate information services, as   well as   taking early action to protect lives, livelihoods and assets   and    inform long-term decision-making related to climate change   risks.

 The call was with the understanding that many African countries   face disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate   change  related unpredictable weather events and patterns including prolonged droughts, devastating floods, out of season storms and wildfires, which cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on economies, health, education, peace and security.

A Researcher on climate finance and co-leads Global finance and Investments Areas at the Alliance of Bioversity International and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture’s Centre action, Pedro Chilambe, shares that the NCQG, which will be discussed at COP29 aims to re-establish and update the 100 billion which was set in Copenhagen in 2009 for developing countries.

Chilambe

“COP29 is a very important opportunity to guarantee that climate finance helps countries to achieve the targets both for mitigation and adaptation. This needs to be a well voiced push for grants financing to be the pillar of this goal. We have over 30 percent of climate finance coming in the form of loans,” Mr Chilambe says.

 He explains that one of the biggest challenges has been to accessing adaptation finance, and points out that a lot needs to be done to guarantee that countries are capacitated to access climate finance including in form of grant based financial instruments and mechanisms.

“Standardising the processes will be ideal so that we do not need to build different expertise to be able to access each one of the mechanisms but also to simplify the processes because we find ourselves having to do so much to access funding climate finance.

He asserts that the process should not be complex to access the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for example, as it is today.

“It is not just the complexity in terms of what is required in the processes, it is also the amount of investment needed to access the investments. To develop a GCF, proposal, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars that need to be invested for a country to access the funding,” he said.

He disclosed that most of the project preparatory facilities that exist, ranges between 100, 000 to almost a million for countries to be able to get one proposal to move forward.

From the African Union perspective, one of the key issues that needs to be done at COP29 is for developed countries to honour the Copenhagen commitment.

Africa Union (AU) One Health Data Alliance, Mary Kariuki is of the view that the commitment should be honoured so that the African continent that is suffering most of the impacts and effects of climate change can mitigate and adapt.

“We need to ask ourselves what mitigation and adaptation action we are putting in place because livestock on Africa are well adapted to our climate and we are really not contributing so much to the green gas emissions, only about four percent,” she said.

Her call is for African Governments to push the agenda and ensure there is international commitment towards what was agreed in the past.

For Zambia, the Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Mposha is leading the delegation of climate change experts and is very optimistic of a good ending of the climate negotiations.

Mr Mposha who, on November 12, had a bilateral meeting with the Executive Director of the Loss and Damage Fund, Dr Ibrahim Cheikh Diong, said meeting discussed among other issues, Zambia’s nomination to host the fund board meeting in 2026, which will let Zambia become the first host the fund board meeting in Africa.

Dr Diong was particularly impressed with Zambia’s instrumental role played in the in the growth of the loss and damage fund. 

 

November 13, 2024

VIOLET MENGO

Lusaka        

THE African Group of Negotiators (AGN) has re-affirmed its position, highlighting adaptation and climate finance as its top priorities at the 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which opened on Tuesday.

In keeping with the conference theme: ‘In solidarity for a Green World,’ AGN Chair, Ali Mohamed has underscored the importance of adaptation and climate finance, pointing out that the group has a clear mandate from its leaders to ensure fruitful outcomes on the two agenda items, in solidarity with the continent’s 1.4 billion people.

“We will be firm for COP29 to deliver on climate finance and adaptation, regardless of the circumstances surrounding our participation and who we are as a group,” said Ambassador Mohamed.

“We are here, representing the aspirations of 1.4 billion Africans, and we will ensure that we don’t fail. We have a clear mandate from our leaders that the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate finance must align with actual transition costs faced by developing nations, as the current frameworks substantially underestimate the capital required for nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) implementation across the continent.”

With a proposed quantum of US$1.3 trillion as the minimum annual threshold for climate finance, the African Group has continued to stress the importance of delivering climate resources through concessional instruments and grants, as current market-rate mechanisms have proven wholly insufficient for addressing the scale of adaptation and loss and damage responses required across Africa.

“For us in Africa, adaptation means agriculture support, resilient water infrastructure, and universal health coverage for all, amidst an increased climate-induced disease burden, among other necessary development support. We are therefore not treating our development needs as a separate subject from climate adaptation, which cuts across all our development needs in key sectors,” emphasized
the AGN Chair.

AGN Chair Ambassador Mohamed

Ambassador Mohamed highlighted the urgent need for enhanced climate financing and inclusion of health within the UNFCCC space, in a more structured way.

“Africa group is alive to the urgent need for enhanced climate financing support, with particular emphasis on grant-based and other non-debt burdening financing models for the health sector in Africa. We believe it is also about time for the health sector's inclusion and active participation within the UNFCCC space, in a more structured way,” said Ambassador Mohamed.

Other priority areas for the African group include the critical need for formal recognition of Africa's special circumstances under the Paris Agreement, highlighting the asymmetry between the continent's minimal emissions (four percent of global emissions) and disproportionate vulnerability to climate impacts, mainly seen in agriculture, water, energy and health sectors and the push for the Just Transition work programme to reflect Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) principles in its operational frameworks.

Africa is also calling for the operationalisation of the fund for Loss and Damage to support African countries in coping with the irreversible impacts of climate change and aid in the recovery of affected communities and finalisation of rules for carbon markets that are robust and deliver environmental integrity and the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.