Women are often disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, yet their role is central to the creation and implementation of effective climate strategies.
With the COP27 climate talks taking place on African soil in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, trailblazing Amujae Leaders were among African women leaders at the forefront of key climate discussions.
In her role as UN Climate Champions’ Special Advisor, Africa Director, Amujae Leader Bogolo Kenewendo took part in a series of activities in which she delivered keynote addresses on topics such as sustainable waste management solutions and Africa’s climate financing. She also led discussions on supporting non-state actors in driving the climate response on the continent.
Taking part in the launch of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative alongside H.E. President of Kenya, William Ruto, H.E. President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Ms. Kenewendo noted the importance of maximizing the value of Africa’s ecosystems in order to drive the financing of climate actions, as well as to boost job creation and biodiversity protection.
Highlighting the importance of local climate action, Amujae Leader and Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr discussed at the Bloomberg ‘Greener Cities, Greener Living’ event how local leaders can increase communities’ resilience and implement transformative transportation, infrastructure, and livelihoods policies. She also met with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following an event facilitated by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center in which Ms. Pelosi addressed the crucial role of mayors in the fight against climate change.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also examined data and analysis on climate mobility provided by the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative, paying particular attention to insights on the impact of climate mobility on the Freetown population.
Amujae Leader Anne Waiguru underscored African nations’ readiness – including Kenya’s – to lead climate negotiations in a briefing session with President Ruto.
Taking part in a high-level meeting with representatives from France and Angola, Ms. Waiguru highlighted the importance of reforestation for regenerative climate action. She also urged world leaders to prioritize the integration of climate mitigation and adaptation interventions in all development sectors.
And last but not least, in a crucial step toward increasing energy efficiency in government buildings in Egypt, Amujae Leader Ghada Labib signed a memorandum of understanding with technology company Honeywell to help reduce energy waste and introduce smart sustainable technologies.
Ms. Labib – Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology – announced that the memorandum of understanding signed on the margins of the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh aims to transform the South Sinai Governorate General Office and the Sharm El-Sheikh Hospital into smart sustainable buildings.