African Leaders Urged to Own Climate Initiatives

At the 14th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XIV) held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, President of GLOBE Legislators International, called for African leaders to take ownership of climate initiatives. He emphasized that Africa's climate challenge has evolved from vulnerability to agency, despite contributing minimally to historical greenhouse gas emissions while facing severe climate impacts.

Onuigbo outlined three critical areas for African leaders: establishing governance frameworks for climate action, translating climate pledges into actionable laws and projects, and fostering climate leadership within African institutions. He stressed that Africa's climate future should not rely on external commitments but should be built and governed by Africans.

He referenced a declaration by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, from January 11, 1976, asserting that Africa's fortunes are in its own hands. Onuigbo praised the support of various institutions for facilitating dialogue and collective action on climate issues.