Group photo of African non-state actors consultative meeting.
PACJA and Partners
By Ngalame Elias
Africa Non-State Actors have held a consultative review meeting on the outcome of COP29 and the road to Belem.
The meeting took place February 12, 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethopia under the theme “Securing climate justice for Africa in a multipolar world in the Year of Reparations”
The meeting also culminated with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, PACJA Continental Governing Council & Planning Retreat.
According to a press release from PACJA activities in Addis within the week kicked off with a high-impact Continental Governing Council and Planning Retreat, bringing together national platforms to assess progress, recalibrate priorities, and refine strategies.
The retreat the release says, reaffirmed PACJA’s commitment to: strengthening multi-stakeholder collaborations, elevating grassroots advocacy to frontline communities, holding governments and financial institutions accountable for climate pledges.
PACJA Continental Governing Council & Planning Retreat in session
Dr Augustine Njamnshi Presenting a paper.
African NON STATE ACTORS Consultative Meeting
During the African Non-State Actors Consultation Review on the outcomes of COP29 and the road to Belém, discussions centered on the urgent challenges facing the Global South.
Accordingly, in 2024, global convenings, including the climate COPs, emphasized the urgent need to address the triple planetary crisis but fell short of financial commitments. There is an increasing awareness of the interconnectedness of the Rio Conventions, suggesting a coordinated approach, possibly in Belem, Brazil, to rejuvenate their sustainable vision.
The convening the African actors say, seeks to: critically examine the outcomes of UNFCCC COP29 in Baku to appreciate Africa’s gains and misses and the broad implications of the decisions to future climate diplomacy
It also re-examined the evolving geo-political context and how to position Africa’s interests in diplomatic processes on climate change and related matters.
It also rolled out pathways for effective influence by Non-state Actors in the build-up towards Belem in advancing climate and economic justice for the continent.
As the world grapples with deepening crises, from debt and climate change to geopolitical instability, African voices are calling for stronger commitments and concrete action to address systemic inequalities, the actors said.
According to PACJA CEO Dr Mithika Mwenda, the road to COP30 and Belem 2025 is taking shape, and PACJA is committed to ensuring African perspectives remain central to the global climate discourse.
Dr. Augustine Njamnshi on his part hammered on the debt crisis and global inequalities that remain major obstacles to sustainable development and climate justice.
He noted that the 2025 Jubilee presents a crucial opportunity to cancel unjust and unsustainable debts that strangle the Global South.
“These nations face exorbitant interest rates—four to eight times higher than in the North—limiting their ability to invest in health, education, and climate adaptation,” Njamnshi emphasized.
Meanwhile, the rise of right-wing movements threatens multilateralism, human rights, and development financing. Radical U.S. policies, such as opening new oil fields and withdrawing climate funding, further exacerbate these crises.
He recommended that in the face of these challenges, Africa must strengthen strategic partnerships, promote value addition to its resources, and push for a fairer global financial system.
“ A collaborative approach is urgently needed to tackle the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, ensuring that global commitments to development and climate action remain on track,”Dr Njamnshi said.
The *Pact for the Future*, signed in New York, was meant to reaffirm global solidarity and cooperation. However, its implementation remains uncertain, with major powers failing to commit to concrete financial and policy actions needed to bridge inequalities and address the climate crisis effectively. Where do we stand now, and will the commitments translate into real change?
Our priorities remain clear:
Unifying African civil society’s position for COP29 to present a strong voice at the global negotiations, advocating for reparative climate finance, pushing historical emitters to fulfill their financial commitments, linking COP29 outcomes to Belem 2025 and ACS2 among other key highlights in the climate change processes, ensuring that non-state actors sustain momentum in demanding climate justice.
