By Fatou Sanneh
Hon. Minister Rohey John-Manjang, accompanied by the Gambian delegation, honoured the invitation from her Senegalese counterpart, the Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, Prof. Daouda Ngom, to attend the Senegalese Day at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event celebrated Senegalese culture while fostering discussions on Climate Finance as this year’s COP is called ‘Finance COP’. The dialogue highlighted the importance of mobilising climate finance for Africa, especially the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for the communities. Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Minister John-Manjang emphasised the importance of African solidarity in accelerating climate action. “It is time for African nations to solidify their cooperation, come together, and strengthen their collective voice to advance climate action.”
Prof. Ngom made similar remarks, highlighting the critical role of climate finance in addressing Africa’s unique climate challenges. He called for greater unity among African countries and stressed the need for climate justice to rectify the inequities faced by the continent. Both Ministers stressed the need for developed nations to honor their commitments and for African countries to present a united front in advocating for equitable access to resources. Africa contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions but disproportionately bears the brunt of climate change impacts, such as extreme weather events, food insecurity, and water scarcity. Climate finance is vital for mitigating these impacts and supporting sustainable development on the continent. The “Finance COP,” this year’s conference is seen as a pivotal moment for Africa to shape the global climate finance agenda and ensure a just and sustainable future for the continent.
