President Paul Kagame of Rwanda delivered a powerful message at the COP-29 climate summit in Baku, advocating for fair compensation for Africa’s contributions to global climate solutions. President Kagame was speaking at a high-level meeting on “Measuring the Green Wealth of Africa,” which was co-hosted by President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
In his address, President Kagame highlighted Africa’s critical role in combating climate change while emphasizing the continent’s disproportionate suffering from its effects, despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions. He drew attention to the ongoing challenge of insufficient access to climate finance, which has significantly impeded Africa’s climate initiatives.
“As we gather at COP-29, Africa has one mission: to reaffirm our position as a key player in the fight against climate change,” President Kagame stated. “Unfortunately, insufficient access to climate finance remains Africa’s biggest obstacle. Pledges made at previous summits have gone unfulfilled, without accountability. This is not acceptable.”
Kagame underscored the need for the international community to honor their financial commitments made in previous climate summits, stressing that “Our continent is the least responsible for global emissions, and therefore for the climate crisis. Being fairly compensated for our extensive contributions to climate solutions is not too much to ask.”
The meeting focused on quantifying Africa’s green wealth, stressing the importance of recognizing the continent’s rich natural resources, biodiversity, and potential for renewable energy. Leaders and experts at the event called for a fair valuation of Africa’s contributions to global climate stability and urged for increased investment in sustainable development projects across the continent.
AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to supporting Africa’s green initiatives, while President Denis Sassou Nguesso emphasized leveraging Africa’s green assets for sustainable economic growth.
Bilateral Discussions with President Ilham Aliyev
On the sidelines of the summit, President Kagame met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, congratulating him on the successful hosting of COP-29. The two leaders discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in several key areas, including the promotion of investment, trade, and knowledge exchange on the efficient delivery of public services.
The meeting between Kagame and Aliyev signaled a strengthening of ties between Rwanda and Azerbaijan, with both Heads of State expressing a commitment to deepening collaboration to unlock new economic opportunities. Their discussion focused on concrete strategies to bolster investments in sectors such as technology, infrastructure, and public administration, aiming to drive sustainable development in both nations.
Africa’s Demands at COP-29
As the COP-29 summit continues, African leaders are unified in their demand for accountability and concrete actions from the global community. The call is for developed nations to fulfill their long-standing promises on climate finance, particularly the $100 billion annual commitment made during the Paris Agreement. These funds are crucial for supporting climate adaptation and resilience efforts in vulnerable regions.
The summit in Baku is expected to address pressing issues such as climate finance, carbon markets, and the role of green investments in sustainable development. Africa’s leaders are determined to secure stronger commitments that not only recognize the continent’s contributions to global climate efforts but also provide the financial resources needed to achieve meaningful progress.
With Africa’s vast resources and growing green economy, the continent is positioning itself as a central player in the global fight against climate change. The outcome of COP-29 will be pivotal in determining whether the international community will step up to support Africa’s sustainable development goals.
