Africa unites in Accra to forge unified climate strategy ahead of COP31

The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) Climate Change met in Accra, Ghana, from August 12-14, 2026, to form a unified climate strategy ahead of the upcoming COP31 summit in Antalya, Turkey. The three-day gathering aimed to go beyond the previous technical talks in Bonn (SB64) and create a high-level political and technical plan.

AGN Chair Nana Dr Antwi-Boasiako Amoah stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that Africa must be fully prepared for the November COP31. Dr Amoah called for the delegates to go beyond the status quo and be more strategic in their approach, covering topics like adaptation, climate finance, just transition, agriculture, and the Global Stocktake.

He reminded negotiators that the negotiations are about their people, economies, and development prospects, touching on issues like unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather events affecting African communities. A key theme at the Accra meeting was the importance of a unified African front in complex international climate talks that now intersect with trade, energy, and peace and security.

The meeting's primary output will be a practical roadmap and a "COP31 Action Matrix," defining specific responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables for the months leading up to the summit. Dr Amoah reiterated that the meeting needed to produce tangible results, moving beyond mere discussion and delivering concrete outcomes. The strategy also aims to lay the groundwork for COP32, hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2027, strengthening African leadership in the global climate process for years to come.

Supported by partners like the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, African Union Commission, and Power Shift Africa, AGN leadership remains focused on ensuring that international climate decisions do not hinder the continent's legitimate development aspirations.