UAE pledges another $200 million in humanitarian funding for Sudan
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Senegal becomes 56th nation to join Artemis Accords
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Second Africa Climate Summit Takes Shape with Clear Focus on Real Outcomes and African Leadership
The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GoE), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), is pleased to share key updates on preparations for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), taking place 8-10 September 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission are mobilizing the dignitaries at all levels: Heads of State, ministers, technical experts towards the successful summit that aims Africa's priorities at the center of the global climate negotiations. About ACS2 The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) builds on the legacy of the inaugural 2023 Nairobi Summit (ACS1) and aims to position Africa as a leader and solutions provider in the global climate agenda under the theme: 'Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa's Resilient and Green Development'. Building on the momentum of ACS1, the summit will highlight African-led solutions, track progress on commitments, and define a roadmap for implementation. It will also focus on strengthening systems and institutions to drive impacts, with sessions dedicated to climate finance, just transitions, adaptation, resilience, trade, innovation and technology. ACS2 is strategically timed between the G20, UNGA, and COP30, providing Africa with a platform to shape the global climate and finance agendas around its priorities and realities. The Summit will showcase successful initiatives, launch new partnerships, and align regional action with international processes. The Summit will feature high-level plenary sessions, ministerial roundtables, side events and exhibitions, youth forums, and regional pavilions, while spotlighting successful African initiatives in energy, food systems, innovation, and climate-smart infrastructure, among others. 'The urgent need for global cooperation has never been clearer, as Africa strives to combat various climate-related challenges. 'The ACS2 provides a pivotal moment for us to show leadership in climate actions and showcase the continent as a solution provider. I urge our partners to support us and our member states in building a climate-resilient and green development agenda for the Africa We Want'. H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission. 'Africa needs a platform that reflects its priorities and drives real outcomes. ACS2 is that platform. It brings voices together, builds alignment and alliances, and creates the space to turn ambition into action on our terms.' H.E Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development, Ethiopia. Key Highlights: Engagement with Major Stakeholders Over the past two weeks, the ACS2 teams have been successfully convening targeted roundtable and briefing sessions with key stakeholders; including, AU Member States, high-level diplomatic missions, UN agencies, philanthropies and foundations, Africa Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) member states, and non-state actors. These sessions have helped align expectations and deepen support for the summit's collaborative approach. 45+ African Heads of State and Government expected to attend: With this landmark summit, African and global climate leaders together with all stakeholders will gather to make an actionable climate dialogue, showcase proven African led Climate Solutions and decide the future of Africa in the global climate regime. Overwhelming Response to Side Events The online portal has already received over 100 side event proposals, representing thematic diversity and regional balance across Africa. The organizing committee continues to process submissions and encourages early application to secure space. Pavilion Space in High Demand Of the dedicated thematic pavilions planned for the venue, more than 50% have already been secured. Governments, institutions, and partners are encouraged to express interest early, as availability is becoming limited. Continued call for Partnership Ethiopia and the African Union Commission invite further financial and in-kind contributions from partners and stakeholders in support of the ACS2 delivery, visibility, and impact. Contributions will help scale innovations in logistics, technology, youth engagement, and sustainability. The GoE and AUC call upon all member States, stakeholders and partners to join forces in supporting for the preparations of the Summit from now to the Summit dates and prepare themselves for a meaningful engagement through the three days of the Summit. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
The National
a day ago
- The National
More than 1.3 million people returned to homes in Sudan, UN says
At least 1.3 million internally displaced people who fled the fighting in Sudan have gone back home, the UN said, as it called for more international aid to help the displaced rebuild their lives. Another 320,000 refugees who had left the country, crossed back to Sudan this year, mostly from Egypt and South Sudan, the UN said on Friday. The fighting had subsided in the "pockets of relative safety" that people are beginning to return to, but the situation remains highly precarious, the organisation added. Since April 2023, Sudan has been torn apart by a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has killed tens of thousands. The RSF lost control of the capital, Khartoum, in March and the regular army now controls Sudan's centre, north and east. In a joint statement, the UN's IOM migration agency, UNHCR refugee agency and UNDP development agency called for an urgent increase in financial support for the recovery as people begin to return, with humanitarian operations "massively underfunded". Sudan has 10 million internally displaced people, including 7.7 million forced from their homes by the current conflict, they said. That is "one in three people", said Mamadou Dian Balde, the UNHCR's regional refugee co-ordinator for the Sudan crisis, who has just returned from Khartoum and Wadi Halfa at the border with Egypt. Mr Balde said people returning is a "desperate call for the end of war" so they can rebuild their lives. 'Not only do they mark a hopeful but fragile shift, they also indicate already stretched host countries under increasing strain," he told a press briefing in Geneva. As hope returns, he said, so does the role of the international community to help people coming back. More than four million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. Sudan is "the largest humanitarian catastrophe facing our world and also the least remembered", said the IOM's regional director Othman Belbeisi, speaking from Port Sudan. "War has unleashed hell for millions or ordinary people who dream of raising their families and living their lives in peace in harmony with their neighbours," he said. "Sudan is a living nightmare." Mr Belbeisi also said 71 per cent of returns had been to Al Jazira state, with eight per cent to Khartoum. Other returnees were mostly heading for Sennar state. Al Jazira and Sennar are south-east of the capital. "We expect 2.1 million to return to Khartoum by the end of this year but this will depend on many factors, especially the security situation and the ability to restore services," said Mr Belbeisi. With the RSF holding nearly all of the western Darfur region, Kordofan in the south has become the main battleground in recent weeks. He said the "vicious, horrifying civil war continues to take lives with impunity" and implored the warring factions to put down their guns. "The war has unleashed hell for millions and millions of ordinary people," Mr Belbeisi said. "Sudan is a living nightmare. The violence needs to stop." Luca Renda, UNDP's resident representative in Sudan, warned of further cholera outbreaks in Khartoum if broken services were not restored. "What we need is for the international community to support us," he said. Mr Renda said about 1,700 wells need rebuilding, while at least six Khartoum hospitals and more than 35 schools need urgent repairs. He also sounded the alarm over the "massive" amount of unexploded ordnance littering the city and the need for decontamination. He said anti-personnel mines had also been found in at least five locations in Khartoum. "It will take years to fully decontaminate the city," he said, speaking from Port Sudan.
