• The move addresses the imbalance of COP delegates, favoring wealthy, high-emission nations over vulnerable countries.
• COP29 will take place from November 11 to 22 in 2024 at Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Dar es Salaam. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell made a landmark announcement, pledging to increase the allocation of observer badges for countries in the Global South at the upcoming COP29 summit.

COP29 will take place from November 11 to 22 in 2024 at Baku, Azerbaijan. 

This move aims to address the longstanding imbalance that has seen the majority of COP delegates come from wealthier, high-emission nations, despite the climate crisis disproportionately affecting developing countries.

“We’ve also taken steps this year to boost the proportion of observer organizations at COP from the global south, following the guidance from Parties at the June Meetings this year,” Stiell said during the 10th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 5 September 2024.

Stiell said Africa’s role at the three Rio Convention COPs this year – and voices in the lead-up are more important than ever, to help guide the UN process to the highest-ambition outcomes the world needs.

The decision has been widely praised by climate advocates. 

Mohamed Adow, Director of Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa, welcomed the shift, noting that COP summits have historically been dominated by voices from the Global North.

 “For too long, the COP summits have been largely full of delegates from the Global North. It’s an example of how too much power at the climate talks has been held by people and organisations based in countries that have caused the climate crisis,” Adow said.

According to Power Shift Africa’s analysis, 50% of COP28 observer badges were given to participants from the Western European and Other States (WEOG) bloc—which includes countries like the USA, Australia, and Canada—despite these nations only representing 12% of the global population. 

In contrast, developing nations, which contribute the least to global emissions but suffer the worst effects of climate change, have historically been underrepresented.

“It is only right that this imbalance is now being rectified,” Adow continued. “People in parts of the developing world contribute a fraction of the emissions causing the climate crisis, yet they disproportionately suffer its impacts.”

Adow also commended Stiell’s recognition of the economic opportunities in combating climate change, adding that the transition to clean energy offers a pathway to lift millions of people out of poverty.

“It’s encouraging to hear Simon Stiell spelling out the huge opportunities posed by tackling the scourge of climate change,” Adow said. “Transitioning the world to clean energy can lift millions of climate-vulnerable people out of poverty.”

The 10th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire is happening this week in Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire, under the theme “Raising Africa’s Ambition to Reduce Land Degradation, Desertification, and Drought.” Picha: Power Shift Africa.

As COP29 approaches, this pledge signals a step toward more equitable global climate negotiations, ensuring that the voices of the most affected nations are heard in the discussions that shape future climate policies.

In his speech, Stiell insisted that the climate actions nations choose should be embedded in the new generation of national climate plans (NDCs) – due early next year. And in National Adaptation Plans every country must have and, to date, out of 54 African nations, only 29 have submitted national adaptation plans.

Climate action: Opportunity for Africa and the world

Climate action is the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century, especially for Africa. While the continent has immense potential to boost its economies and uplift its people, it also faces the severe costs of unchecked global warming. 

Africa is warming faster than the global average, and climate-driven disasters—like droughts, floods, and food shortages—are worsening. Those least responsible for the climate crisis are suffering the most.

Many African countries are losing up to 5% of their GDP annually due to climate impacts. Agriculture is particularly hard-hit, leading to food shortages, rising inflation, and increased living costs. Desertification and habitat destruction are forcing people to migrate, destabilizing communities and economies, while supply chains are being severely disrupted.

Though African nations bear the brunt of climate impacts, the world cannot view this as solely Africa’s problem. In today’s interconnected world, the consequences of climate inaction will affect everyone, particularly in the global economy.

However, the solutions to the climate crisis offer a chance for growth and progress. By transitioning to clean energy, Africa and the world can create jobs, boost economies, and build a sustainable future for all. Collective action is essential to seize this opportunity.