COP31: East Africa Demands Grant-Based Climate Funds

Eight East African nations agreed on a joint diplomatic position from 29 September to 3 October 2026 in Machakos, Kenya, demanding predictable, debt-free climate finance from developed countries ahead of the COP31 summit.

Delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan validated the joint stance alongside the East African Community (EAC) Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2036.

The regional bloc will present these demands at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31, scheduled for November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye.

The joint agreement calls on wealthy nations to fulfil public funding promises, triple adaptation finance by 2035, and allow direct cash transfers to local national institutions.

It also demands full capitalisation of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage so vulnerable states can recover from severe weather shocks without taking on extra debt burdens.

Loss and damage funding provides financial support to nations suffering irreversible economic and structural destruction from climate-driven disasters.

The World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Climate in Africa 2023 report shows African nations lose between 2 and 5 per cent of their gross domestic product every year to climate extremes.

Some governments inside the region redirect up to 9 per cent of their annual national budgets away from development projects to fund emergency disaster responses.

Regional Bloc aligns negotiating mandate for Türkiye summit

The EAC is demanding complete funding for the Santiago Network, an entity that delivers technical help to nations suffering severe climate losses.

Delegates also asked for clear regional standards to participate in carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, alongside stronger disaster early warning systems and ecosystem protection.

William Tayebwa, Uganda's Assistant Commissioner for Production and Infrastructure at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, led the Machakos sessions.

"When we speak with one voice, we stand on firmer ground in international negotiations and in mobilising the resources our region needs," Tayebwa said.

Dismas Mwikila, EAC Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, stated on behalf of the EAC Secretariat that a single regional position addresses shared priorities across member states.

Susanne Wallenoeffer, Project Manager for the EAC4Nature Project, confirmed the German government will provide technical and logistical assistance through GIZ to support the region.

"The completion of this validation should not be seen as the end of the process, but as the beginning of the next phase, which is translating commitments into concrete actions and measurable results on the ground," Wallenoeffer said.

Next steps for East African strategy

The agreed COP31 position will go to the African Group of Negotiators and national UNFCCC representatives to build a wider continental negotiating strategy.

The EAC Secretariat will manage regional side events and bilateral meetings during the COP31 conference in Türkiye.

Officials will submit the validated Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2036 to the 12th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources for formal adoption.