The AGNES in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, the FAO, UN Foundation, CARE, the Alliance of Biodiversity and CIAT (ABC), and the ILRI, is convening the Pre-SB 62 AGNES strategy meeting, to deliberate on some of the key areas of interest for Africa in preparation for the SB62 in June 2025. Experts from across Africa will be attending the meeting, including: AGN representatives, UNFCCC RCCs, Researchers, Civil Society Organizations and Research Organizations. The meeting will focus on four key segments: Global Goal on Adaptation (Ecosystems and biodiversity, Health, Agriculture, Water, Infrastructure, Poverty and Livelihood, Culture and Heritage); Climate Finance; Agriculture and Food Security, and Gender and Social Inclusion. The meeting is scheduled from 24th-28th February 2025 in Nairobi Kenya. Let’s delve in…
Critical focus on Global goal on Adaptation ahead of SB62
The global goal on adaptation will be the central topic of discussion in pre-SB62 as it is Africa’s top priority in climate action. It is a top priority because Africa is more vulnerable to climate change impacts due to three major facts: its overdependence on climate sensitive sectors, Africa’s low adaptative capacities and the existing socio-economic challenges. These challenges are further worsened by lack of adequate access to climate finance and new technology. All these necessitates a strategic approach to adaptation negotiations to make African communities more resilient and prevent further erosion of the developments in Africa.
GGA negotiations at COP29 focused on decision 2/CMA.5 para 38, which requested SBSTA and SBI to initiate the consideration of matters related to the GGA. Still at COP29, Parties reviewed the indicators compiled under the UAE-Belem Work Programme, reflecting on their progress and setting priorities for COP30. Further, parties launched the Baku Adaptation Roadmap to advance progress on GGA and support the implementation of the elements of Para. 38 of Decision 2/CMA.5. Transformational adaptation was also discussed at COP29 even though there was no conclusion. The discussions are set to continue at SB62, and therefore it will be a key discussion during the Pre-SB62 Strategy meeting.
Shaping the discussions on Climate Finance at Pre-SB62
The pre-SB62 strategy meeting discussions will also centre around climate finance focusing on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). The discussions will be guided by the outcome of COP29 on Climate Finance; the adoption of USD 300 Billion annual target for developing country parties. In addition, the focus will be on Africa’s priority on the same as the developing countries are supposed to be at the forefront of the decision while developed countries are expected to volunteer in contributions. Lastly, there will be discussions on the newly launched Baku to Belem Roadmap to USD 1.3 trillion to scale up climate finance for developing countries. In this regard the parties to the conference are expected to develop a realistic and clear pathway of the ambition.
Agriculture Workstream and the Sharm El Sheikh online Portal
One of the activities in SB62 will reviewing the online portal, making it a critical discussion during the pre-SB62. After SB60 conclusions, parties moved on with the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on the implementation of climate cation on Agriculture. Moreover, COP29 discussions on agriculture were centred around the online portal and the secretariat presented the portal to the SBSTA and SBI where feedback from parties was given, to be incorporated in the portal. The in session working on the online portal will be during the SB62 necessitating discussions in this pre-SB62 strategy meeting.
The Enhanced Lima Work Programme (ELWP)
The Pre-SB62 Strategy Meeting will deliberate on the extension of the Enhanced Lima Work Programme (ELWP) on Gender and its Gender Action Plan (GAP), ensuring Africa’s priorities are well-positioned for SB62 negotiations. With gender equality now a central component of climate action, discussions will focus on strengthening gender-responsive climate finance, increasing women’s participation in governance, and integrating gender considerations into adaptation policies.
Pre-SB62 discussions on “Oceans and Climate Change Dialogue”
Oceans play a vital role in climate regulation and economic resilience, yet African coastal communities remain highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The Pre-SB62 Strategy Meeting will assess Africa’s priorities within the Oceans and Climate Change Dialogue, ensuring strong representation at SB62. With an informal exchange of views set for April 2025, this meeting will develop strategic positions to advocate for Africa’s interests in ocean governance.
Conclusion: Expected Outcomes and Outputs
Conclusively, the AGNES Pre-SB62 Strategy Meeting intends to offer the following outputs ahead of SB62: a draft of AGN submissions on GGA, Agriculture, and Gender; draft texts, key messages, and talking points for negotiations, workshops, and dialogues at SB62; Increased awareness on resource mobilization for climate action in agriculture and food security; Increased awareness of human mobility in the context of climate change and Key considerations of the agriculture component of the NDC 3.0, LT-LEDS and NAPs.
