The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) has intensified efforts to ensure African women play a more influential role in shaping global climate governance during the ongoing Bonn Climate Talks (SB64) in Germany , reported by EnviroNews
Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations climate negotiations, AGN Chair Dr. Nana Antwi-Boasiako Amoah called for a stronger, coordinated African women’s agenda, stressing that the continent’s climate and development priorities cannot be achieved without meaningful participation by women at every level of decision-making.
The engagement, which brought together members of the Women and Gender Constituency, served as a platform for African women negotiators, policymakers, and climate practitioners to develop common positions ahead of key global climate decisions.
Dr. Amoah noted that women constitute a significant proportion of Africa’s population and are disproportionately affected by climate change, making their inclusion both a social and strategic imperative. He urged African countries to dismantle structural barriers that continue to limit women’s representation in international climate institutions and negotiations.
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Discussions at the meeting focused on strengthening women’s leadership across critical climate priorities, including adaptation, climate finance, loss and damage, and the just transition. Participants also advocated for greater investment in capacity building through mentorship programmes, technical training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at preparing the next generation of African women climate negotiators.
Climate finance emerged as another major concern, with delegates highlighting that insufficient funding continues to hinder gender-responsive climate action across Africa. Participants called for financing mechanisms that directly support grassroots women and vulnerable communities most affected by climate-related disasters.
The discussions further emphasized the need for improved transparency in recruitment within international climate institutions and better data on African women’s representation in global climate governance structures.
The initiative aligns with broader negotiations taking place at the Bonn Climate Talks, where countries are advancing implementation of the Belém Gender Action Plan and strengthening gender-responsive climate finance under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
What You Need to Know
- AGN is pushing for stronger representation of African women in global climate governance.
- African women negotiators are seeking greater influence on climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and just transition policies.
- Participants called for expanded mentorship, technical training, and leadership development for women climate negotiators.
- Delegates urged increased gender-responsive climate finance that reaches vulnerable women at community level.
- The discussions support implementation of the Belém Gender Action Plan and preparations for COP31.
Implications
Strengthening women’s participation in climate governance is expected to improve the quality and inclusiveness of Africa’s negotiating positions while ensuring climate policies better address the realities faced by vulnerable communities. The initiative also reinforces Africa’s commitment to embedding gender equality into international climate decision-making as negotiations progress toward COP31.
Conclusion
The Bonn Climate Talks have reinforced the African Group of Negotiators’ commitment to placing women at the centre of climate governance. By advocating stronger representation, targeted climate finance, and leadership development, the AGN aims to ensure Africa’s climate agenda reflects inclusive, equitable, and effective solutions capable of delivering long-term resilience across the continent.
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