AU Calls for Climate Justice as Africa Pushes for Action Beyond Global Pledges

Ethiopia, July 7, 2026 - The African Union (AU) has called for urgent action to bridge the gap between global climate commitments and their implementation, warning that African countries continue to suffer the worst effects of climate change despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions.

The appeal was made on Tuesday when the President of the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference, André Aranha Corrêa do Lago of Brazil, paid a courtesy call on African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The meeting focused on the outcomes of the COP30 climate conference held in Belém, Brazil, preparations for future climate summits, and efforts to secure greater financial and technical support for developing countries as they confront the growing impacts of climate change.

Corrêa do Lago conveyed a message of goodwill from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, thanking the African Union for its active participation and constructive contribution to the success of COP30.

In response, Youssouf congratulated Brazil for its leadership in steering the global climate negotiations and praised President Lula for strengthening multilateral cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.

He welcomed the progress made during the Belém conference, particularly agreements on climate finance, adaptation measures and the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, describing them as important milestones toward creating a more equitable global climate framework.

However, the AU chairperson cautioned that promises made at international climate conferences have too often failed to translate into tangible support for vulnerable nations.

He noted that African communities continue to experience severe droughts, floods, food insecurity and other climate-related disasters while receiving inadequate financial assistance to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

"Many of the pledges made have yet to translate into meaningful support for vulnerable countries, while communities across Africa continue to bear the disproportionate impacts of climate change despite the continent contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions," Youssouf said.

He reiterated Africa's long-standing demand for climate justice and called for climate financing that is accessible, predictable and sufficient to help African countries strengthen resilience and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Youssouf expressed optimism that the momentum generated during COP30 would continue into COP31,which will be hosted by Türkiye, and COP32,which Ethiopia is set to host.

He invited Brazil to share its experience, technical expertise and institutional knowledge to support Ethiopia's preparations for the global climate conference.

The AU chairperson said such cooperation would help ensure the success of COP32 while strengthening Africa's voice in international climate negotiations.

For his part, Corrêa do Lago reaffirmed Brazil's commitment to promoting a more inclusive and equitable global climate governance system that reflects the priorities of developing countries.

He acknowledged Africa's growing influence in international climate diplomacy, saying the continent had played a pivotal role during the COP30 negotiations and continues to shape the global climate agenda.

The Brazilian climate envoy also disclosed that the COP30 Presidency will later this year unveil three implementation roadmaps aimed at translating climate commitments into action.

The plans will focus on ending deforestation, accelerating the global transition away from fossil fuels and advancing the delivery of the US$1.3 trillion annual climate finance goal agreed upon during international climate negotiations.

The two leaders also discussed Brazil's candidature to lead the Global Climate Facility and Africa's candidate for the position of Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

They expressed confidence that both candidates possess the experience, leadership and technical expertise needed to advance global sustainable development, food security and climate action.

The meeting underscored the African Union's continued push for developed nations to honour their climate commitments and provide the financial resources required to help African countries adapt to the accelerating impacts of climate change while pursuing sustainable development.