The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Climate Change has opened its second strategy meeting of the year in Accra, bringing together leading climate negotiators and stakeholders to strengthen Africa’s collective position ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
The three-day meeting, scheduled for August 12 to 14, 2026, is focused on developing a high-level political and technical strategy for the continent, beyond a review of the recent technical negotiations in Bonn.
Opening the meeting, AGN Chair Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah stressed the urgency for Africa to establish a clear negotiating position ahead of the November climate summit.
“With less than four months to COP31, we cannot afford to approach Antalya without clarity on what Africa seeks to achieve,” he said.
Dr. Amoah urged delegates to move beyond what he described as “business as usual” and adopt a more strategic approach to both the substance and process of climate negotiations.
The Accra meeting is addressing key issues including climate adaptation, climate finance, just transition, agriculture and the Global Stocktake.
However, Dr. Amoah stressed that the negotiations must remain focused on the real impact of climate change on African populations and economies.
“For our countries, the negotiations are therefore not merely about text, paragraphs or procedural decisions. They are about our people, our economies and our development prospects,” he said.
He cited the challenges facing African communities, including unpredictable rainfall, drought, flooding and coastal erosion, as some of the realities that must inform the continent’s negotiating priorities.
Africa seeks united front
A major focus of the meeting is the need for a unified African position as climate negotiations increasingly intersect with trade, energy, peace and security.
“Our greatest strength has always been our ability to come together as one African Group,” Dr. Amoah said.
He acknowledged the different circumstances and priorities of African countries but stressed that negotiators must enter global climate discussions with a shared responsibility to protect the continent’s interests.
“We represent different countries, circumstances and perspectives, but when we enter the negotiations, we carry a collective responsibility to defend and advance the interests of our continent,” he added.
The meeting is expected to produce a practical roadmap and a COP31 Action Matrix, outlining specific responsibilities, timelines and expected deliverables ahead of the summit.
Dr. Amoah said the gathering must result in concrete actions rather than another round of discussions.
“We are not only in Accra to engage in another talking exercise. We must leave Accra with concrete outcomes and clear directions on next steps,” he said.
The strategy will also look beyond COP31, laying the groundwork for Africa’s engagement in COP32, which is expected to be hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The meeting is being supported by partners including the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the African Union Commission and Power Shift Africa.
As deliberations continue, the AGN leadership is seeking to ensure that global climate decisions recognise Africa’s unique vulnerabilities while protecting the continent’s legitimate development aspirations.
