Excellencies, dear colleagues,
It is an honour to be with you in this Africa Climate Summit II.
Working together on the great challenges is the best way to strengthen knowledge and response capacity, to identify effective measures, to learn from our neighbours, and to join forces.
Here, we represent nations linked by history and geography, but above all by a pressing challenge and a common vision.
Together, Africa and Europe mean 40% of the global population.
We gather amid interconnected crises and inequalities that affect both continents. This demands not only development for Africa, but fair development and opportunities with African peoples.
At a time when multilateralism, the rule of law, and the very principles of human dignity are questioned, staying firm is imperative.
In these turbulent times Europe will not give up on its responsibilities.
Adaptation
In my conversations here in Addis, one message has been constant: adaptation is not a future task, it is todays reality.
Climate change is already shaping lives and livelihoods. Even in the most optimistic scenarios, the threats are severe. That is why adaptation is and will remain a central pillar of our cooperation.
Together with seven EU Member States we are advancing the Team Europe Initiative on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience:
Investing in preparedness, supporting communities affected by displacement, and opening access to Copernicus satellite data so decisions can be based on evidence.
From the Global Shield to regional climate security programmes, our goal is clear: preparedness saves lives, strengthens peace and creates stability that attracts investment and facilitates economic performance.
An important moment will be the adoption of the International Maritime Organisations Net Zero Framework that includes emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing.
This framework aims to balance ambitious decarbonisation with inclusive benefits and will create new economic opportunities, such as green fuels and infrastructure development.
Funding
We Europeans are committed to climate finance, and we will continue to be.
The 1.3 trillion roadmap adopted in Baku is a cornerstone for our global climate agenda. It is not only about raising ambition, but also about shifting mindsets and building new governance tools that can deliver climate finance at the scale required.
To make climate governance more effective, we must prioritise reform of the international financial system and seek new sources of international solidarity.
This means addressing structural barriers already identified: the high cost of capital, the paradox of debt and indebtedness, and the need to reduce investment risks.
Multilateral development banks and institutional investors have a decisive role to play in breaking with established rules and unlocking private investment at scale.
The challenging moment requires urgency. Well need to be audacious.
Energy
Africa is a continent rich in sun and critical raw materials, where renewable energy is advancing at full speed.
It is also the youngest continent, with the largest share of young people in the world, and its industrialisation offers new opportunities.
From our European experience I can tell you: dependence on fossil fuels burns resources that could instead be invested in the future.
We will still need those fuels during the energy transition, but the sooner we bet on renewables, the stronger our ability will be to meet citizens expectations and to advance social justice.
Ten years after Paris, towards COP30
Ten years after Paris, we have seen progress. In 2015 we were heading towards 3.1°C of warming. Today the trajectory is closer to 2.1°C.
We are watching it: wildfires, floods and droughts coexist. We are worried about famine and drought. What was an extraordinary exception has become our new reality in only a few years.
Climate change impacts affect social inclusion and human rights. Being as it is a difficult challenge, it would be impossible if we act on our own, individualistically.
Regional and multilateral cooperation is essential.
COP30
In these challenging times COP30 will be a test: are we serious about turning ambition into action?
Together, Africa and Europe must uphold the Paris Agreement on mitigation, adaptation and finance.
Post-2030 NDCs must align with the 1.5°C goal, cover all gases and sectors, and respond to the first Global Stocktake.
Our national contributions to reduce emissions are the safety net of our future.
The worlds largest emitters carry a special responsibility to lead. Even in these difficult times, we shouldnt forget it.
For Africa, new climate plans can also be an opportunity: linking climate, energy and sustainable development, attracting investment, creating jobs and skills, and strengthening prosperity.
Finance
Justice requires that those who contributed least to the crisis are not left to face its heaviest costs. That means stronger contributions to loss and damage funds, more adaptation finance, and massive investments in clean energy.
In 2023, 43% of European Union and Member State climate finance went to Africa.
Through Global Gateway, we aim to mobilise one hundred fifty billion euro (€150 b) in investments by 2027: in renewables, value chains and resilient infrastructure.
But finance also means fairness: lowering borrowing costs, improving debt restructuring, and building a financial system that enables sustainable development rather than blocking it.
Shared future
Africa is home to 60% of the worlds best solar resources, 30% of the critical minerals, and a young and optimistic generation ready to innovate.
Yet nearly six hundred million people still lack electricity. Closing this gap is urgent and possible.
The European Union remains Africas largest trading partner and investor. Together we can turn potential into reality: building clean energy systems, adding value to raw materials, creating decent jobs and resilient communities.
We can use our way to Luandas Africa-EU summit as an opportunity to renew our partnership, to state loud and clear our willingness to go forward through Economic Partnership Agreements.
Closing
Africa and Europe have the talent, the resources and the partnership to shape a future of social justice and inclusiveness, prosperity and hope. Let us seize it together.
Thank you.