The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) opened a crucial two‑day strategy meeting in Antalya, Turkey, on November 1‑2 to prepare for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31). The session aims to unify Africa’s voice ahead of the global talks, a task made urgent by new meteorological data indicating severe climate shocks on the continent.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) issued an advisory on October 29 confirming that a very strong El Niño is developing in the Pacific Ocean and will heavily influence West African weather into the first half of 2027. Joint observations from GMet, NOAA, IRI and the World Meteorological Organization show the event will peak between now and January 2027 before easing.
Past very strong El Niño events in 1982/83, 1997/98, 2015/16 and the moderate 2023/24 episode have severely impacted Ghana’s agriculture, water resources, hydroelectric power and public health. The current advisory warns that the consequences will fall hardest on vulnerable communities, underscoring the need for targeted mitigation across key sectors.
AGN Chair Nana Dr. Antwi‑Boasiako Amoah opened the Antalya consultations, stressing that unity, cooperation and collective commitment are essential to elevating Africa’s voice on the global stage. He praised members for their steadfast dedication despite demanding schedules and competing professional responsibilities.
“The spirit of teamwork demonstrated by members will be crucial in ensuring a coordinated approach to the negotiations and securing outcomes that reflect Africa’s priorities and development needs,” said Dr. Amoah, urging negotiators to maintain their shared sense of purpose.
The consultations aim to reinforce collective climate diplomacy and build institutional capacity to secure international agreements focused on adaptation funding, developmental equity and robust support for climate‑vulnerable populations. By coupling strong, unified diplomatic advocacy with robust local disaster preparedness, African nations can better protect lives, safeguard food and energy systems and build enduring resilience against an increasingly volatile climate.
As COP31 approaches, the convergence of high‑level diplomacy in Turkey and frontline weather advisories in Ghana highlights an imperative message: international climate governance must deliver concrete, actionable outcomes that build resilience and safeguard vulnerable communities against devastating climate impacts.
