VICE President, Dr. Philip Mpango, has arrived in Addis Ababa to represent President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the second African heads of state and government summit on climate change.

The three-day summit, co-hosted by the African Union Commission and the government of Ethiopia, is a critical forum for uniting Africa's position on climate action ahead of upcoming global negotiations, particularly the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30).

The summit's theme, “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa's Resilient and Green Development,” highlights the urgent need for a shift in climate finance. Africa, which contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, is disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The continent faces severe and frequent droughts, floods, and rising sea levels that threaten food security, water resources, and economic stability. In Tanzania, for instance, climate change is estimated to cost the country between 2-3 percent of its GDP annually.

Nature-based solutions, technology, and resilient infrastructure: Discussions will centre on how Africa can leverage its ecosystems and clean technologies to drive decarbonisation and sustainable development.

Adaptation and Resilience: This segment will spotlight Africa's climate risks and explore scalable solutions to enhance community adaptation, focusing on food systems, e-mobility, and sustainable cities.

Climate Finance and African-led Solutions: A major objective is to shift the narrative from aid to investment, promoting financial mechanisms that empower African countries to tackle climate challenges through community-driven initiatives and home-grown innovations.

Tanzania, a country with diverse ecosystems from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the coastal plains, is highly susceptible to climate change impacts. 

The government has already implemented a National Climate Change Strategy (2021-2026), which aims to enhance climate resilience in key sectors such as agriculture and water resources. Previous statements by Dr. Mpango have emphasized the need for greater awareness of and participation in climate-related initiatives, such as carbon trading, to unlock new revenue streams.

 During his visit, the vice president is scheduled to participate in several bilateral meetings. These discussions are an important opportunity to forge stronger diplomatic and cooperative ties, secure partnerships, and attract investments to support Tanzania's climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. 

His presence at the summit not only showcases Tanzania's commitment to the global climate agenda but also positions the nation as a proactive leader seeking collaborative solutions to shared challenges.