17/07/2025
Paris Agreement Turns 10: A Decade of Climate Action, Progress, and Africa's Role in the Road Ahead
NAIROBI, 17 July 2025- by Maureen Chesang
A landmark moment in global climate diplomacy was celebrated today on the sidelines of the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Nairobi, as African and global leaders marked the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. The commemorative event, held at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, spotlighted a decade of progress, challenges, and the path forward in global climate action.
Speaking on behalf of the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, Ms. Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga, Director of Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress, underscored the transformational power of the Paris Agreement since its adoption in 2015.
“The Paris Agreement has changed the course of human history. It proved that climate cooperation can deliver when it matters most,” she said, highlighting that without the accord, the planet would be on track for over 5°C of warming. Thanks to global action, that trajectory has been reduced to closer to 3°C still dangerous, but a clear sign of the power of multilateralism.
The event emphasized that while progress has been made including a tenfold increase in clean energy investment and over 80% of global GDP now covered by net-zero pledges the pace of action remains insufficient.
Africa, a continent contributing the least to the climate crisis, is experiencing its most devastating effects. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, floods, and loss of livelihoods continue to displace communities and disrupt development.
Yet, Kinuthia-Njenga affirmed, Africa is not just on the front lines of climate impacts, but also at the forefront of climate solutions.
“From renewable energy and regenerative agriculture to youth leadership and innovation, this continent is shaping the next phase of climate action.”
The anniversary comes ahead of COP30, to be held in Belém, Brazil, a moment the UNFCCC calls a “milestone for ambition and delivery.” The next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is expected to show not only urgency but also tangible results. The Global Stocktake has revealed the gaps; the next steps must close them.
Key priorities laid out in the speech included:
* Scaling up climate finance with fairness and predictability,
* Investing in adaptation and resilience to protect people and economies,
* Fully capitalizing the Loss and Damage Fund to serve vulnerable communities,
* Accelerating project implementation and shifting from planning to impact.
As the world reflects on a decade since Paris, the message from AMCEN was clear: the next ten years must deliver faster, deeper, and fairer action especially in and for Africa.
“Let us honor the spirit of Paris by carrying it forward with renewed determination. We have come a long way. Let us now commit to making the next decade count.”
