African Union Summit: Climate Action Is A Cross Cutting Issue For Africa

The African Union held a continental summit last month, which discussed a number of matters for Africa’s security and development. Although climate action was not decided to be one of the 8-priorities for Africa in the year 2023, climate related challenges are recognised in all programmatic work of the African Union Commission.

Photo Credit: African Union

It is very important to recognise the climate challenges that Africa faces; Africa contribute less in greenhouse gas emissions, yet it suffers more from climate consequences. Somalia, for instance, is on the verge of famine since there hasn’t been rain from the past few years, there are thousands of people in that country that are currently suffering food shortages. In the very same context, in other countries, there are endless floodings, which has destroyed infrastructure, and many communities are having water shortages as a result, droughts are also execrating many social ills. Everyone has to know that the climate impacts in Africa are a limitation to human rights.

One of the positive outcomes that from this year’s African summit is the plan by the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to hold a continental climate summit in Nairobi, Kenya, from 04 to 06 September 2023.

As World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ), we always appreciate when leaders demonstrate their will to take climate action as a matter of urgency, as we are looking forward to more concrete action, we are also calling on all of them to consider voting yes to the UN resolution “request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.”

More information on the African front here.