UN Secretary General urges climate justice for Africa in Kenya summit

United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday (May 12) that collapsing aid budgets and climate change were deepening economic and social pressure across Africa, calling the situation a “crisis of solidarity” as global needs rise.

Speaking at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Guterres said official development assistance was falling just as demand was growing, with aid commitments being cut back or withdrawn. “This is not only a financial crisis; this is a crisis of solidarity,” he said.

Guterres highlighted climate change as a central challenge, noting that Africa has contributed least to global warming but is experiencing some of its harshest effects, including displacement, crop losses and economic shocks. He said volatile energy markets, reliance on fossil fuels and fragmented trade were worsening inflation and fiscal stress across the continent.

The remarks came as African and European leaders gathered in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit, co‑hosted by Kenya and France, focusing on economic cooperation, climate action, youth engagement and reform of global governance structures.

-Mukelwa Hlatshwayo/Reuters