AFAN-CJ Leading the Charge at COP 29 for a Sustainable Future

The AACC will participate in COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024 through the Africa Faith Actors Network for Climate Justice (AFAN-CJ). The AFAN-CJ will be represented by a high-powered delegation comprising the top AACC leadership, faith leaders from the Christian and Muslim communities, youths, and women.

The AACC General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki, is currently participating in the pre-COP Global Summit of Religious Leaders on Green Planet hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan. His participation marks the beginning of a three-week period in which AACC will be deeply engaged in COP29 processes.

Speaking about the AFAN-CJ participation in COP29, AACC Programme Executive for Economic and Ecological Justice, Dr Tinashe Gumbo, said, “The COP29 is a strategic platform for AACC since faith leaders will engage with global leaders on climate justice issues. As AFAN-CJ, we continue to utilize such platforms to amplify the faith's voice on matters of climate justice. Our members have been engaged in locally-led processes in their respective countries, and in August, we convened a continental round table to consolidate our faith position for COP29. Thus, we will share the aspirations of the African faith leaders concerning climate justice”.

Dr Gumbo shared that the AACC delegation will comprise eleven faith leaders representing faith leaders, youths, and women. Two delegation members will participate in COP29 as parties representing their governments. The good working relationship between the AACC and the African governments informs this positive development.

The AACC will also convene several side events in the Faith Pavilion and UNFCCC Pavilions in collaboration with its partners in the civil society and global faith community. These events will focus on climate financing for locally-led initiatives to address the effects of climate change.