13TH CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
(CCDA-XIII)
CLOSING SESSION
Closing Statement
By
Mr. Claver Gatete
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and
Executive Secretary of ECA
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
07 September 2025
H.E. Mekonnen Seyoum, State Minister of Planning & Development, Ethiopia,
Prof Antony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth, African Development Bank,
Mr. Augustine Njamnshi, Pan-Africa Climate Justice Alliance,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we draw the curtain on the 13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XIII), I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Ethiopia and all who have contributed their time, expertise and commitment to these three days of intense deliberation.
Your collective wisdom has reaffirmed why CCDA remains the continent’s premier technical platform for climate and development.
This conference was not an end in itself.
Rather, it is a bridge that links evidence with ambition, technical depth with political momentum and Africa’s aspirations with actions.
We came together to shape the foundation for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) and Africa’s common voice for COP30.
And today, we close with resolve – with a coherent, investment-ready African climate agenda.
Allow me to highlight six priorities we are taking forward from this conference into the Addis Ababa Declaration and onward to Belém.
First, on Adaptation, Resilience and Loss & Damage, we have declared with one voice that adaptation must be at the heart of global climate action.
Africa cannot carry a US$160 billion annual adaptation gap alone.
It is neither fair nor sustainable.
In this regard, we call for urgent, predictable and scaled-up international support.
The Loss and Damage Fund must be operationalized without delay.
It must be equitable in its governance, accessible to all and responsive not only to economic losses, but also to the cultural and ecological heritage that is at risk.
Second, on Science, Data and Climate Information Services, we have emphasized the urgency of closing Africa’s climate data and knowledge gaps.
Without data, we are navigating in the dark.
That is why we must invest in early warning systems, integrate indigenous wisdom with AI and satellite technology and strengthen the science–policy interface.
Only then will Africa’s negotiators and policymakers speak with the full weight of evidence, credibility and authority.
Third, on Transforming Climate Finance, we have made clear that Africa’s financing cannot remain trapped in aid dependence.
Our agenda is one of investment, innovation and opportunity.
Why should African nations pay the world’s highest borrowing costs when they already suffer from some of the severest impacts of climate change?
We call for reforms to the international financial architecture to lower Africa’s unjust borrowing costs, cancel or reschedule debt, and for scaling up innovative tools such as debt-for-climate swaps, blended finance, green and blue bonds, fair credit ratings and transparent, high-quality carbon markets that deliver benefits directly to Africa’s development agenda.
Fourth, on Just Transitions and Energy Access, we have affirmed that Africa’s transition must be both green and fair.
More than 600 million live without electricity today.
Surely, this cannot be an acceptable situation in the 21st century given increasing decline in renewable energy costs.
We must harness our critical minerals for local value addition, deploy the full spectrum of clean energy solutions and prioritize green jobs, retraining and the empowerment of women and youth.
This is how we ensure that our transition is inclusive, just, and transformative.
Fifth, on Ecosystems and Nature-Based Solutions, we have underscored thatAfrica’s ecosystems are not just African assets; they are global lifelines.
From the Congo Basin to our mangroves, wetlands and savannahs, these ecosystems are vital to humanity’s very survival.
Protecting them demands fair global valuation, investment and recognition.
We will expand community-led stewardship and use digital innovations to connect nature-based solutions with agriculture, forestry and renewable energy.
Sixth, on Governance, Partnerships and Global Responsibilities, we have agreed thatAfrica must strengthen its institutional coherence and governance to deliver climate action at scale.
This means embedding climate into national development plans, leveraging AfCFTA integration and aligning Africa’s negotiating voice.
Let me also emphasize that global responsibilities cannot be evaded.
We call on the international community to honour its commitments – from the Global Goal on Adaptation to the New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance – and to reform global trade and carbon taxation regimes so that they are fair, non-discriminatory and supportive of Africa’s growth.
Friends,
Taken together, these six priorities represent a comprehensive, coherent African climate agenda.
An agenda anchored in evidence.
An agenda driven by justice.
And an agenda designed for impact.
They will shape the Addis Ababa Declaration, guide the 2nd Africa Climate Summit and strengthen Africa’s common position at COP30.
But more importantly, they demonstrate that Africa is not waiting to be acted upon.
We are shaping our destiny, leveraging our resources and bringing solutions to the world.
As the Economic Commission for Africa, and as part of the United Nations family, we pledge to walk this path with you.
Together, we can ensure that these outcomes do not remain words on paper but translate into action that transforms lives across our continent.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Yes, the road from this Conference to the 2nd Africa Climate Summit and onward to COP30 will be demanding.
But it is also an unprecedented opportunity to redefine Africa’s role in global climate governance.
Before I close, allow me to express special appreciation to our host country, Ethiopia.
Once again, Addis Ababa has shown why it is the diplomatic capital of Africa – a hub for continental dialogue and decision-making.
Ethiopia’s generosity and commitment have ensured that CCDA provides not only a rich technical platform, but also a direct bridge to the Africa Climate Summit.
We are grateful that Ethiopia will carry forward the outcome statement of this conference as a key technical input to the 2nd Africa Climate Summit and, ultimately, to the Addis Ababa Declaration that will define Africa’s united climate voice.
I thank you.