Mercy Corps Highlights Unity and Urgency as the 2nd Africa Climate Summit Concludes with Calls for Action and Youth Inclusion

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

As the 2nd Africa Climate Summit draws to a close, Mercy Corps Senior Director for Resilience, Olga Petryniak, emphasized the unity and urgency demonstrated by African leaders, youth, and climate allies during the event. Speaking from Addis Ababa, she highlighted the summit’s key themes and pressing needs for meaningful progress on climate finance and adaptation.

Petryniak praised the summit for Africa speaking with a unified voice, calling for accountability on international climate commitments. “Leaders, young people, and climate experts came together demanding delivery on promises—specifically the $300 billion pledged in Baku and the clear financing plans for the $1.3 trillion global climate finance goal outlined in the Baku–Belém roadmap,” she stated. Recognizing that $300 billion is insufficient, she urged that what is pledged must be delivered, particularly through grants and concessional finance, rather than loans that deepen Africa’s debt burden.

The Summit showcased a powerful push from Africa’s youth, who represent over 60% of the continent’s population. Petryniak underscored their importance: “The voice of Africa’s youth has been remarkable—most powerful at this Summit. They are reminding us that they must not be token participants but must sit at the decision-making table and shape climate solutions. They need resources and tools to lead climate action, not just recognition. Anything less is a betrayal of their future.”

Highlighting ongoing challenges, Petryniak emphasized that adaptation—crucial for African communities facing increasingly frequent floods, droughts, and hunger—is still being underfunded. “Without adequate adaptation finance, families remain vulnerable and unprotected. Such finance must be fair, grant-based, and led by the public sector. Relying on loans or private finance only exacerbates debt and undermines resilience,” she said. She also acknowledged that while exploring new revenue streams like carbon markets and pollution levies can be beneficial, they are not panaceas without proper governance and community benefits. The global community should prioritize public climate finance as the foundation of climate responsibility.

Looking ahead to COP30, Petryniak called for action: “Africa has set clear priorities—adaptation, fair finance, and recognition as a leader in climate solutions. Now it’s time for the world to deliver. Without tangible results by COP30, these summits risk becoming mere talks without real impact.”

As Africa continues to champion climate resilience and equity on the global stage, the summit’s messages serve as a stark reminder that international commitments must translate into concrete actions to secure a sustainable future for the continent and the planet.