The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Climate Change has officially opened its 2nd Strategy Meeting of the year, gathering the continent's top negotiators and leadership to sharpen Africa's collective position ahead of the upcoming COP31 summit in Antalya, Türkiye.

The three-day meeting, held from August 12–14, 2026, aims to move beyond a mere review of previous technical talks in Bonn (SB64) and instead establish a high-level political and technical strategy.

Addressing the assembly, AGN Chair Nana Dr Antwi-Boasiako Amoah emphasised the urgency of the moment, noting that the continent must be fully prepared before arriving in Antalya this November.

"With less than four months to COP31, we cannot afford to approach Antalya without clarity on what Africa seeks to achieve," Dr Amoah stated during his welcome address.

He urged delegates to move beyond "business as usual" and be more strategic in both substance and process.

The discussions in Accra cover a vast array of critical issues, including adaptation, climate finance, just transition, agriculture, and the Global Stocktake.

However, Dr Amoah reminded the negotiators that the stakes extend far beyond the meeting rooms.

"For our countries, the negotiations are therefore not merely about text, paragraphs or procedural decisions," the Chair remarked. "They are about our people, our economies and our development prospects".

He highlighted the lived realities of African citizens, from farmers facing unpredictable rainfall to communities suffering from drought, flooding, and coastal erosion.

A Call for Continental Unity

A central theme of the Accra meeting is the necessity of a unified African front in an increasingly complex international landscape where climate talks now intersect with trade, energy, and peace and security.

"Our greatest strength has always been our ability to come together as one African Group," Dr. Amoah said. "We represent different countries, circumstances and perspectives, but when we enter the negotiations, we carry a collective responsibility to defend and advance the interests of our continent".

The primary output of the meeting will be a practical roadmap and a "COP31 Action Matrix," which will define specific responsibilities, timelines, and expected deliverables for the months leading up to the summit.

Dr Amoah was clear that the meeting must yield tangible results: "We are not only in Accra to engage in another talking exercise… We must leave Accra with concrete outcomes and clear directions on next steps".

Beyond COP31, the strategy is also intended to lay the foundation for COP32, which is set to be hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This provides an opportunity to strengthen African leadership within the global climate process for 2027 and beyond.

The meeting is supported by various partners, including the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the African Union Commission, and Power Shift Africa.

As deliberations continue, the AGN leadership remains focused on ensuring that international climate decisions do not constrain the "legitimate development aspirations" of the African continent.