Update
Africa - 1 April 2025
AWE IN AFRICA
INSIGHTS AND ACTIONS FROM ICPH RETREAT
Key Takeaways from the ICPH Africa Working Group Retreat 2025 | Key Points| Useful Resources
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE ICPH AFRICA
WORKING GROUP RETREAT 2025
On 13 and 14 March 2025, the ICPH Africa Working Group (WG) convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
bringing together a diverse group of experts, think tankers, and advocates from across Africa and beyond.
The retreat served as a strategic platform to deliberate Africa's evolving role in global climate governance,
enhance advocacy capabilities, and define actionable policy interventions that can respond to the
continent’s unique climate challenges and opportunities.
The retreat took place amidst rapidly shifting geopolitical dynamics partially due to the new USA
government, reductions on international aid levels and disappointing outcomes from COP29. However,
new leadership within the African Union, Africa’s enhanced engagement in international forums such as
the G20, as well as the escalating severity of climate impacts throughout the continent made this an
opportune moment to meet. The discussions emphasized the necessity of fostering a unified African voice,
developing coherent policy narratives, and promoting strategic coordination across African states and
institutions. WG Members acknowledged that climate change remains as a secondary priority in Africa
after peace and security, with substantial resources primarily directed towards addressing conflicts and
security issues across the continent. Consequently, financial and policy support for climate change often
falls short, underscoring the necessity of advocating for balanced resource allocation and considering the
issue as an existential crisis.
Strengthening Africa’s Voice
A prominent theme from the retreat was the critical importance of African nations adopting and projecting
a unified stance in international climate discussions. Participants viewed the recent integration of the
African Union (AU) into global platforms like the G20 as a historic opportunity, yet acknowledged
significant hurdles, particularly arising from varying national interests, internal fragmentation, and
insufficient regional collaboration. Recommendations included enhancing diplomatic alignment and
strengthening the AU’s role in formulating cohesive African positions.
Navigating Contentious Climate Policies
Speakers expressed significant concerns about contentious international climate policy instruments,
notably the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the proposed IMO Levy. These
measures, while aiming to curb global emissions, risk disproportionately affecting African economies by
reducing competitiveness and increasing economic burdens. Participants urged the formulation of robust
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policy responses, emphasizing proactive engagement with international partners to advocate for equitable
and context-sensitive alternatives.
Promoting a Just Transition
The concept of a Just Transition was extensively discussed, with emphasis placed on the importance of it
being locally-driven and context-specific. Participants underscored the critical need to integrate
distributive, procedural, and restorative justice into transition frameworks, cautioning against externally
imposed solutions which could exacerbate existing debt challenges and socio-economic inequalities.
Discussions advocated for African countries to define their transition pathways clearly, leveraging
low-carbon opportunities to achieve sustainable development goals.
Mobilizing for Loss and Damage
The retreat highlighted notable strategic gaps within Africa's advocacy concerning Loss and Damage (L&D).
There was consensus on the urgent need for enhanced internal coordination within African negotiating
teams and the establishment of comprehensive national frameworks. Clearly articulated narratives that
capture Africa’s specific needs, vulnerabilities, and already existing adaptive responses were emphasized
as crucial for effective international negotiations and securing meaningful outcomes from global L&D
financing mechanisms.
Enhancing Adaptation Finance
Adaptation finance emerged as a critical issue during discussions, particularly regarding the
operationalization of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Despite incremental progress, there remains
substantial dissatisfaction due to the absence of clear quantifiable targets and robust implementation
structures. Participants called for intensified, early advocacy to secure adequate and predictable
adaptation financing, emphasizing the necessity of clearly articulated financial commitments from
developed nations.
Strategic Engagement in the G20
With South Africa hosting the G20 in 2025, participants identified this as a strategic platform to amplify
Africa’s climate and financial reform priorities. Emphasis was placed on using the G20 forum to highlight
key areas including critical minerals management, adaptation finance, food security strategies, and
comprehensive debt reform initiatives. The importance of coherent messaging and strategic engagement
within this influential global forum was underscored.
Shaping Africa’s Climate Narrative
Effective communication strategies were recognized as vital for advancing Africa’s climate advocacy
agenda. Participants recommended strengthening the capacities of African media institutions, fostering
credible and influential African climate voices, and strategically disseminating impactful narratives around
key international and regional events. The aim is to build sustained political momentum for climate action.
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Conclusion
The ICPH Africa WG Retreat underscored that translating dialogue into concrete action remains the
paramount objective. The true measure of the retreat’s success will depend on how effectively its
recommendations and action points are operationalized into tangible policy outcomes. Continued unity,
clarity of strategic objectives, and impactful narrative-building are imperative for realizing Africa’s climate
ambitions.
KEY POINTS
■ African unity and strategic collaboration are critical to effective climate diplomacy.
■ Proactive engagement and clear advocacy strategies are necessary to manage and respond to
contentious international climate policies.
■ Africa-driven Just Transition frameworks should emphasize justice, equity, and sustainability.
■ Strong internal coherence and comprehensive national frameworks are vital for successful Loss
and Damage advocacy.
■ Defined adaptation finance targets and clear implementation frameworks are essential.
■ Effective strategic use of the G20 platform is vital to promoting Africa’s climate and development
interests.
■ Robust African-led communication and media strategies are essential for driving sustained political
climate action.
USEFUL RESOURCES
■ Daniela Gabor’s Wall Street Consensus, Wiley Online Library, 26 March 2021
■ Financing a Sustainable Future: Proposals for a Renewed Global Development Finance Agenda, UN
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), 11 February 2025
■ Blended finance is not working; It is time for a new approach for mobilizing private finance for the
SDGs at FfD4, UN DESA, January 2025
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