Aiden Kiprop 
Mr. Ali Daoud Mohamed, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change and Special Climate Envoy of the President of Kenya, visited Moscow, Russia, to participate in events aimed at deepening Russia-Africa collaboration on climate action.
Mr. Mohamed held discussions with prominent Russian figures, including Mr. Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Presidential Aide and Special Representative on Climate Issues; Mr. Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa; and Mr. Andrey Melnichenko, Chair of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs’ Committee on Climate Policy and Carbon Regulation.
The agenda covered pressing topics such as the state of global climate negotiations, equitable target-setting under the Paris Agreement, the development of a global carbon market, and the removal of trade barriers masquerading as climate measures.
Mr. Edelgeriyev reaffirmed Russia’s dedication to the Paris Agreement’s cost-effective provisions, including support for a global carbon market, accessible climate financing, and equitable technology sharing, despite ongoing challenges in international talks.
Mr. Novak advocated for a balanced shift to a low-carbon future, emphasizing fairness and flexibility based on national contexts.
“Green and traditional energy sources should work together. Emission reductions don’t require abandoning fossil fuels entirely, and a just transition shouldn’t block investments in these projects,” he remarked.
Following this exchange, both sides committed to drafting a joint action plan to enhance climate cooperation between Russia and the African Union, incorporating business sector input.
Mr. Mohamed criticized the current global climate framework for favoring some nations while ignoring others’ needs.
“Africa accounts for just 3% of historical emissions, yet it’s pressured to set ambitious goals and forgo its resource wealth,” he said, pointing to Western nations’ outsized historical emissions and higher per capita rates compared to Africa or Latin America.
He proposed a fair NDC approach based on a global emissions budget allocated per capita, a suggestion welcomed by Russian officials.
Trade barriers like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM) drew scrutiny, with Mr. Mohamed labeling them discriminatory against African exporters and unjust given the continent’s low emissions. Mr. Melnichenko agreed, describing the climate agenda as faltering and urging collective action.
“Uniting Africa’s 1.4 billion voices with Russia’s diplomatic and technological prowess could reshape the global climate narrative,” he said, adding that Russian expertise in climate projects could support Africa once carbon markets are fully functional.
Russia also shared updates from its National Climate Monitoring System, revealing that its ecosystems absorb far more CO2-equivalent than previously thought, bolstering its negotiating stance.
Mr. Melnichenko stressed science’s role in refining climate strategies, while Mr. Mohamed saw potential for Africa to gain accurate emissions data through this partnership, marking it as a key area for future collaboration.
