Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for this invitation to the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment. It is an honor.

Protecting our environment is essential for our partnership. Clean air and water are vital for the health of citizens worldwide.

Clean production and energy efficiency are key to our future competitiveness. The demand for environmental technologies is rapidly increasing.

Now more than ever, our partnership is crucial. Global environmental challenges require collaborative solutions. Stronger international cooperation is essential.

The theme of AMCEN-20, “Reflecting on the Past and Imagining the Future,” encourages us to strengthen our partnership and efforts.

We face three interconnected crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. No country can tackle these alone; our response must be collective.

Africa is particularly affected, facing direct impacts like drought and desertification, as well as indirect effects such as increased migration and resource competition.

Europe is also experiencing these challenges. For instance, water stress threatens our environment and public health, indicating we have much to learn from one another.

Let me highlight three areas for strengthening our cooperation.

Together, we must limit warming to 1.5°C and adapt to impacts such as droughts and food insecurity.

Africa has vast potential for clean energy. Lets unlock it through investment and innovation. The EU is the largest provider of climate finance to Africa, and this support will continue.

At COP15, we agreed on an ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework. The EU supports protecting at least 30% of land and sea and restoring degraded ecosystems.

We need to scale up joint initiatives like NaturAfrica to protect biodiversity and support local development.

A clean economy is productive and competitive. This realization has driven recent initiatives to green the EU internal market and supply chains.

My visit to Nairobi emphasized this priority for Africa. I am encouraged by the “Continental Circular Economy Action Plan for Africa (2024-2034)” launched with African Union Commissioner Moses Vilakati.

The European Commission is part of the African Circular Economy Alliance, supporting Africas leadership in creating a global agreement to end plastic pollution.

I also want to mention the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), a landmark step by the EU to promote transparency and sustainability in global supply chains.

The EU is committed to supporting our trading partners with maximum transparency and technical support for their transitions.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Africa is not just a stakeholder but a leader in the global environmental agenda. AMCEN plays a crucial role in amplifying that voice.

Despite challenges, I am inspired by the vibrancy I see in Nairobi, especially among the youth and entrepreneurs.

The EU is ready to deepen our cooperation and partnership based on trust and shared responsibility.

Let us act boldly together to halt biodiversity loss and build a sustainable future for all. We owe this to future generations!

Thank you.