...Climate change is a defining challenge of our times, and as we struggle to pull our people from poverty and bring prosperity in our countries, it has become extremely difficult for governments to attain national poverty reduction and sustainable development milestones because we find ourselves diverting money earmarked for development to respond to climate-inspired emergencies such as floods, famine, starvation, diseases and death...
...Africa has contributed the least to the problem of climate change, yet we find ourselves on the receiving end of its impacts due to the incapacity of our people to adapt...
...Having observed the goings-on within the international climate change dialogue process for the last three years, we conclude that the North-South divide which denies poor communities a chance for a better future still continue to permeate the negotiations...
...Climate finance must be the deal breaker of a new global deal on climate change. Whilst African countries try to invest in climate action where possible, their budgets are over-stretched trying to bring health, education and security to their citizens...
...At least 50% of climate funding should go to adaptation as grants that will not push our countries further into debt. And whilst we recognise the important role of the private sector in addressing climate change, rich countries should not transfer responsibility of delivering climate finance to the private sector who will see no rewards in supporting the most vulnerable people...