Brussels [Belgium], September 6: Africa's voice must be heard in climate change talks at COP28 in Dubai, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday at the first Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.
Pledging the European Union's support, von der Leyen offered to be Africa's ally at COP28 so that "Africa's priorities, as a continent that is most affected by climate change, are duly taken on board."
Leaders from across the continent have gathered in the Kenyan capital to discuss the transition to green energy and lay out priorities for the COP28 global climate conference later this year.
A push to turbocharge the renewable energy sector and ways to increase financing for climate protection and adaptation efforts is occupying most of the meeting in Nairobi.
Setting out the partnership between Africa and the EU on climate action as a "win-win," von der Leyen said Africa could help "clean up the global energy system" with plentiful critical raw materials and a young population.
Von der Leyen also underlined the importance of mobilizing private funding for the African economy to investment in the transition towards clean energy. African countries have contributed comparatively little to the climate crisis, but suffer disproportionately from its consequences.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, while millions are also starving in the Sahel, which stretches from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east of the continent.
Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, are also becoming more frequent.
Source: Qatar Tribune