African leaders concluded the three-day Second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday by adopting the Addis Ababa Declaration on Accelerating Global Climate Solutions.
The declaration positions Africa as a global hub for renewable energy and climate solutions while demanding fair and predictable financing from the international community.
At the summit, leaders also unveiled the Flagship Report on African Climate Initiatives, marking a historic shift in how the continent is perceived, from being seen as climate-vulnerable to a driver of innovative, sustainable, and justice-centered solutions.
The leaders additionally launched the Africa Climate Innovation Compact, a platform aimed at promoting Africa-led climate solutions and mobilizing resources to accelerate green transitions across the continent.
The compact emphasizes the role of innovation, technology, and inclusive financing in addressing Africa’s dual challenge of climate vulnerability and development needs.
African heads of state highlighted the importance of homegrown solutions in ensuring resilience and sustainable prosperity.
“By turning our vulnerability into leadership, Africa is showing the world that we are not waiting to be saved; we are driving the change,” the leaders said.
Speaking on behalf of African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Bankole Adeoye, the AU commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, said Africa has laid a clear foundation ahead of COP30.
“We have sent a clear and united message ahead of COP30. Africa’s climate finance demands are not charity appeals. They are calls for equity, for justice, and for shared global responsibility,” he said.
Adeoye emphasized the need to reform the global climate finance architecture to reduce Africa’s debt burden and make climate finance a tool for sovereignty rather than servitude.
He stressed the importance of strengthening African institutions and encouraging public-private partnerships to de-risk investment.
“Africa is not a problem to be solved. Africa is a solution to be supported. May our actions match our ambitions. May our unity light the path forward,” Adeoye said.
The Addis Ababa Declaration and the Africa Climate Innovation Compact will guide the continent’s coordinated approach to climate action and serve as a roadmap as African nations prepare to present a united front at the COP30 climate talks in November.
