The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Climate Change has called for a more integrated, Africa-led approach to addressing the growing links between climate change, peace and security across the continent.
Speaking at the meeting, Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, Chair of the AGN, said Africa’s climate diplomacy must reflect the realities facing communities already experiencing environmental and socio-economic pressures.
He said climate change was increasingly interacting with existing vulnerabilities, including food and water insecurity, displacement, loss of livelihoods and governance challenges, requiring responses that extended beyond environmental interventions.
“Africa is not approaching climate, peace and security as an abstract policy discussion.
“For millions of people across our continent, climate impacts are already affecting livelihoods, food systems, water availability, mobility and community resilience. Our response must therefore be practical, prevention-focused and rooted in the lived realities of our people,” he said.
Dr. Amoah stressed that climate change should not be viewed as a direct cause of conflict but acknowledged that it was exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and increasing pressure on fragile communities and institutions.
“Climate change does not mechanically or directly cause conflict. However, it acts as a risk multiplier and is already deepening vulnerabilities and increasing pressure where communities and institutions are already stretched,” he said.
Dr. Amoah said addressing climate-related risks should be recognised as an investment in long-term resilience, social stability and sustainable peace.
The meeting brought together representatives of the AUC, the United Nations Office to the African Union, AGN lead negotiators and technical partners to strengthen alignment between Africa’s climate diplomacy and the continent’s emerging Climate, Peace and Security agenda.
Participants explored strategies for integrating climate adaptation, resilience-building and peace considerations into policy frameworks while ensuring African priorities remained central to international climate negotiations.
Looking ahead to COP31 and COP32, Dr. Amoah called for increased climate finance and implementation support for communities facing climate risks and insecurity.
He emphasised the need for climate finance mechanisms to become more accessible and predictable to enable vulnerable and conflict-affected communities to adapt effectively.
“The people facing the greatest climate risks should not be left behind because of the complexity of financing systems,” he said.
GNA
