African negotiators at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, are pressing for urgent and fair climate action, placing climate finance at the top of their agenda to help the continent adapt, transition to renewable energy, and protect vulnerable communities.
Dr. Richard Muyungi, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators, stressed that Africa, which contributes less than 4% of global emissions but faces severe climate impacts, requires “ambitious, balanced, fair and just outcomes” across mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and financing, including mobilizing US$1.3 trillion annually by 2030. At the summit’s opening, UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell warned that progress is too slow but praised the Paris Agreement for averting catastrophic warming, highlighting the Baku to Belém Roadmap as a critical tool to accelerate emissions reduction and resilience.
Climate advocates insist that COP30 must translate pledges into tangible action, ensuring funds reach the most vulnerable, support a just energy transition, and address long-standing inequalities, marking this summit as a pivotal moment for Africa and the wider developing world