Africa Climate Unity: AGN Chair Begs For Continental Focus As Global Support Fades
By: Abudu Olalekan
Dr. Nana Antwi-Boasiako Amoah calls for strong Africa climate unity. The AGN chair warns the continent must stand together as global multilateralism dies down.
Let’s set the scene for a minute. Imagine staring at a massive grid of tired faces on a computer screen. That was exactly the vibe at the recent virtual gathering of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN). It was the very first big strategy meeting under Ghana’s new leadership. And the man of the hour, Dr. Nana Antwi-Boasiako Amoah didn’t mince his words at all.
Things are getting tough out there. Global teamwork? Yea, it’s falling apart fast. Everybody are looking out for their own pockets.
Dr. Amoah, the AGN Chair looks at the current sad state of global multilateralism and sees a glaring red warning light for Africa. The big global players are pulling back from their promises. Economic stress. Crazy geopolitical drama. But here is the bitter truth we have to face. Africa is literally standing on the brutal frontlines of the climate mess. We are the most vulnerable out of everyone. We just can’t afford to let international cooperation slip away.
“With Africa’s well-documented vulnerabilities to climate change, the continent cannot afford to let multilateralism die,” he told the group bluntly.
Heavy words. But true.
He desperately wants to pull everyone together now. You know, to mobilize the crazy amount of technical expertise hidden inside of the AGN. Even when the geopolitical climate is as hostile as the actual weather, Africa needs a strong, coordinated voice. We need to stay in the room. And be loud.
“The strength and success of the AGN lie in our ability to work together, even under difficult circumstances,” Amoah said. He basically promised that his time as chair will be all about harnessing this collective brainpower of the AGN family. He wants to project Africa’s interests hard. Especially right now, when the spirit of global teamwork is clearly under massive strain.
It’s a huge task. The recent virtual meeting wasn’t just a simple catch-up over coffee. It was a heavy, deep strategy session. They are looking ahead to the big African Union Summit. That one is scheduled to hold from February 11 to 15, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
They have a lot of difficult homework to do before they finally meet face-to-face for the mid-year UN Climate Conference next June.
So what was actually on the agenda? A few critical things guided the meeting.
First, they had to look back at COP30. They reviewed the major outcomes and the priority issues. Figuring out what those outcomes actually mean for our own continental policy processes.
Next, they had to get their story straight. Consolidating the AGN positions. They need to figure out their exact negotiation priorities so they don’t look confused at the African Union Summit. Unity is literally everything here.
Finally, they reviewed Dr. Amoah’s own priority agenda. They had to make sure it strictly aligns with what the Lead Coordinators and the country focal points are actually seeing on the ground. No disconnects allowed.
For those who don’t know, the AGN isn’t some new kid on the block. It’s a serious technical body. Part of a three-tier African negotiating structure that does the dirty work during UN COP meetings. They’ve been doing this since 1995. The whole point of their existence is to make sure Africa speaks with one unified common voice.
We at Reportersroom always follow these developments closely. Because if the AGN fails to hold the line, the whole continent suffers the consequences. Short sentences. Big stakes. The world might turn its back, but Africa doesn’t have that luxury. The water is rising. Dr. Amoah knows it. And now, the rest of the world needs to hear it.
