The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) has expressed concern over the slow progress on the issue of the Global Adaptation Goal at the COP28 summit in Dubai, just days before it closes, according to Collins Nzovu, chair of the AGN.
"We are disappointed by the lack of progress on this important issue in the first week. Decisions we must reach at COP28 include, obviously first we are concerned about the lack of progress on various issues of importance to our group, particularly on finance and adaptation," Nzovu, also Zambia's Environment Minister, said at the COP28 press conference, as quoted by African media.
So far, $133.6 million has been allocated to the Adaptation Fund, which Nzovu says is too little, as billions, if not trillions, of dollars are needed for adaptation on the continent.
The minister added that adaptation is a matter of continental survival, citing the continent's devastating droughts and floods that are causing water, food, and energy insecurity.
"We are living at a time when the climate has changed so we need to adapt. Every year, from 10 to 40% of our GDP is wiped out because of the negative effects of climate change," he explained. "Amid all the summits and meetings taking place to discuss the issue, what Africans need to see is action to help us adapt to this changing climate."
Nzovu was echoed by Mohamed Adow, founder and director of climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa, who pointed to the duplicity of rich countries unwilling to engage meaningfully in the GGA.
"We do not need their rhetoric and corridor talks, this can be seen as hypocrisy at best and gaslighting at worst [because] we have been anticipating a result after two years of discussions and workshops on the goal," he said as quoted by local media.
As the pan-African publication Nation noted, while the COP climate talks have been lauded for contributing to various milestones, their plan has also been accused of creating fertile ground for promoting the selfish interests of industrialized countries over the years.
Therefore, at the Dubai conference, African delegations may leave without the billions promised by industrialized countries for adaptation at the Kenya climate summit in September.
COP 28 is also under attack for its exclusivity in making key climate decisions. For example, an anonymous negotiator from Africa told the publication that the Global South has minimal control over the discussions and that most decisions are made "during late-night meetings in corridors or over dinner."
"Majority of the decisions made on thorny issues are often determined during late-night meetings in corridors or dinners, or unilateral agreements made outside the plenary discourses and later forced onto the majority," he said.
COP28, running through December 12, gathers world leaders, global organizations, and stakeholders to negotiate and collaborate in the fight against the climate crisis.