Road to COP30: Africa Speaks - Our Realities, Priorities, and Demands
Date & Time
Oct 27, 2025 09:00 AM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Description
Africa is experiencing rapid warming, with extreme weather events and climate change worsening socio-economic conditions, increasing displacement, and hunger. Despite producing the least emissions globally, the international collaborative and regulatory framework of the Conference of the Parties (COP) has failed to hold highly industrialized countries accountable to core commitments on mitigation, adaptation, finance, and transparency. At the same time, weak political will and limited policy ownership within the continent have left many African governments reactive rather than forward-looking, with national policies and budgets often falling short of preventive action. As the world prepares for COP30, Africa has the opportunity to reposition itself and assert its voice on the global stage, while also reflecting internally on its national commitment and local action. Together with climate change experts, we will examine Africa’s realities, priorities, and demands.
Speakers:
1. Collins Otieno, Climate Finance and Innovations Officer - Hivos, Kenya
2. Dr Sheila Obim, Executive Director - Alliance Science
3. Dr Godwin Opinde, Chairman/Lecturer - Environmental Compliance Institute/ Kenyatta University
4. Leah Adhiambo, Agripreneur - Ladel Agritech Ltd
5. Moderator Dr. Lisa Dale, Senior Lecturer in Climate and Director, MA Climate + Society at the Columbia Climate School
This event is part of a global series, Road to COP30: Local Voices, Global Pathways, hosted by the Columbia Global Centers. Each week, one of the Columbia Global Centers convenes an online event that looks at the big questions shaping local climate conversations and how they connect to global climate negotiations. Explore the full series and sign up for future events here: https://tinyurl.com/4vu32453
