Belém, Brazil — 17 November 2025.
African climate leaders, negotiators, civil society organizations, and global partners gathered yesterday at the Africa Pavilion during COP30 for a powerful and timely discussion on one of Africa’s most pressing but underrepresented climate priorities: the recognition of universal energy access as a global climate goal within the UNFCCC process.
The side event, organized by the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) in collaboration with the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and partners of the Six30 Campaign, brought together an exceptional panel of experts, negotiators, and practitioners working at the intersection of energy, climate justice, and sustainable development.
Setting the Stage for a Stronger African Position
The session opened with remarks from Mr. Eugene N. Nforngwa, Director of Programs and Research at ACSEA, who reaffirmed Africa’s long-standing call for global recognition of energy access as both a climate justice issue and an essential pillar of resilience. He emphasized that the global climate architecture cannot claim to be just, inclusive, or effective while millions of Africans remain excluded from energy systems that are fundamental to adaptation, health, education, and economic opportunity.
His message set a compelling tone for the discussions that followed.
A Rich and Multi-Stakeholder Conversation
Moderated by Dr. Abderrahmane Sidi El Moctar, African Union Young Negotiators Fellow, the panel explored the urgent need to elevate energy access within UNFCCC outcomes such as the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), the Global Stock take (GST), and the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG).
Key inputs included:
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Mr. Eugene N. Nforngwa, Director of Programs and Research at ACSEA, framed the conversation with a clear analysis of how energy poverty drives climate vulnerability and undermines Africa’s resilience. He highlighted the paradox of expecting rapid decarbonization from a continent where nearly one billion people still rely on polluting fuels.
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Dr. James Murombedzi, Coordinator of the Africa Climate Policy Center at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), discussed evidence linking energy access to long-term climate resilience and development outcomes.
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Dr. Fernanda Viana De Carvalho, Head of Policy for Climate and Energy at WWF International, stressed the global implications of ignoring energy access and called for clear political commitments within negotiation texts.
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Ms. Shampi Anna of Northern Vision CBO (Kenya) and Dr. Tinashe Gumbo of the All-Africa Conference of Churches highlighted the lived realities of communities and the moral obligation to ensure equitable energy solutions.
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Mr. Mathew Webb of E3G and Balisi Gopolong (Botswana), speaking as a designated authority on adaptation (TBC), contributed perspectives on finance architecture, technology flows, and the political pathways for embedding energy access into COP outcomes.
Panelists collectively called for a balanced approach that prioritizes renewables while acknowledging Africa’s need for transitional resources to enable a just and inclusive energy transition.
A Call for Justice, Recognition, and Action
During the interactive Q&A session, participants including negotiators, youth delegates, and observers echoed the urgency of recognizing energy access as both a human right and a climate priority. Many expressed strong support for elevating this issue within COP30 negotiations and future UNFCCC decisions.
The event concluded with reflections that underscored Africa’s unified stance: without universal energy access, the global climate transition will remain incomplete, inequitable, and unjust. Speakers agreed on the need for coordinated advocacy to ensure that energy access features prominently in COP30 outcomes and beyond.
Strengthening Momentum for COP30 Negotiations
This event marked an important moment for Africa’s climate agenda at COP30. It amplified political momentum, clarified entry points for negotiators, and strengthened partnerships among governments, civil society, religious institutions, youth, and technical experts.
ACSEA, PACJA, and the Six30 Campaign reaffirmed their commitment to pushing for a climate regime that recognizes Africa’s right to accessible, affordable, and sustainable energy systems.
About the Organizers
The event was convened by:
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African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA)
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Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA)
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Partners of the Six30 Campaign
For more information, contact:
Eugene N. Nforngwa
Director, Programs and Research, ACSEA | Lead, Just Transition and Energy Access, PACJA
📞 +237 675 11 4396
📧 eugene.nforngwa@pacja.org
🌍 www.six30.acsea54.org
