ACCRA, Ghana — The Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, has called for a technically grounded and united African position on a Just Transition Mechanism that responds to the continent’s development priorities.
Speaking at the opening of the AGN Just Transition Technical Workshop in Accra, Nana Dr. Amoah said the proposed mechanism must take into account Africa’s specific needs, including energy access, climate adaptation, industrialisation, economic diversification, decent jobs and value addition.
He said Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy must not deepen existing inequalities or leave the continent on the margins of emerging green economic opportunities.
“As the global economy moves towards low-carbon production, emerging trade measures and carbon standards could affect the competitiveness of African economies,” he said.
Nana Dr. Amoah, however, noted that the transition also presents significant opportunities for Africa, particularly in green industrialisation, mineral value addition and stronger participation in global supply chains.
He stressed the need for African countries to move beyond their traditional role as suppliers of raw materials while value addition, technology and employment opportunities are created elsewhere.
“Africa must not remain simply a supplier of raw materials while value addition, technology and jobs are created elsewhere. A truly just transition must enable Africa to participate equitably in, and benefit from, the emerging green economy,” he said.
Developing a common African position
The two-day technical workshop is expected to develop concrete African proposals on the purpose, functions, financing, governance and institutional arrangements of the Just Transition Mechanism.
The outcomes will inform African submissions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and contribute to strengthening the continent’s negotiating position ahead of COP31.
The workshop comes as African countries seek to ensure that global climate policies and the shift towards low-carbon economies are aligned with their broader development needs.
For many African economies, the transition presents both challenges and opportunities. While new carbon standards and trade measures could affect the competitiveness of African exports, the continent has significant opportunities in renewable energy, critical minerals, green manufacturing and other emerging sectors.
Nana Dr. Amoah’s call therefore places emphasis on ensuring that Africa is not only able to adapt to the changing global economy but can also capture greater economic value from the transition.
The proposed Just Transition Mechanism is expected to provide an important platform for addressing these concerns and advancing an African position that links climate action with development, economic transformation and social inclusion.
The outcomes of the Accra workshop are expected to feed into ongoing international climate negotiations and help shape Africa’s collective approach to the just transition agenda ahead of COP31.
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
