NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16 – African parliamentarians have committed to strengthening coordination among African legislatures, governments and regional institutions to advance a unified continental position in global climate and methane negotiations.

📻 Breaking It Down

The legislators have insisted that international climate frameworks and financing mechanisms must reflect Africa’s development priorities, food security concerns and national realities.

The commitment was made at the conclusion of the two-day Regional Parliamentary Seminar on Climate Action and Methane Reduction held in Nairobi under the theme “African Parliaments for Climate Action: Reducing Methane, Promoting Development.”

The forum brought together lawmakers and parliamentary representatives from 21 African countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Mozambique and The Gambia, alongside development partners and climate institutions.

📌 What You Need to Know

In a joint outcome statement issued Saturday, delegates stressed the need for Africa to speak with one voice in international climate processes, particularly as global discussions intensify around methane reduction targets and financing commitments.

The parliamentarians called for “enhanced dialogue among African parliaments, governments and regional institutions to promote a strong and united African voice in global climate and methane-related negotiations.”

They said global policy approaches and financing structures must fully account for Africa’s development agenda, poverty eradication efforts and food security needs.

The lawmakers further stressed that methane mitigation measures across the continent must not undermine sustainable development or livelihoods, especially in agriculture-dependent economies where millions rely on livestock production.

“Africa’s methane mitigation efforts have both adaptation and mitigation co-benefits and require adequate, predictable and accessible climate finance from developed countries,” the statement said.

The delegates also urged the fulfilment of the climate finance commitments agreed during COP29 and called for the operationalization of loss and damage funding to support vulnerable nations already experiencing severe climate impacts.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya