Unified Climate Front East African Community Prepares For COP30 With New Policy And Conservation Drive
East Africa Boosts Climate Resilience with Coordinated Strategy and New Conservation Project
ARUSHA, TANZANIA—The East African Community (EAC) is spearheading a concerted regional effort to present a unified and powerful front at the upcoming global climate summit, COP30. Recognizing the immense vulnerability of the region to climate change, the EAC has brought together experts to forge a common position, a move designed to amplify East Africa’s voice in international climate diplomacy.
The three-day experts’ meeting, held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, concluded with a strong consensus on the need for a coordinated approach to climate action. According to a press release from the East African Community website, the gathering was a critical step in preparing for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Deputy Secretary General of the EAC, Hon. Andrea Ariik Malueth, emphasized the importance of this unity, stating, “A coordinated and well-articulated message will amplify our voice and ensure that the needs of our communities are heard and addressed at COP30.”
Responding to a Region in Crisis
East Africa stands at the epicenter of the global climate crisis. The region is experiencing an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including both prolonged droughts and devastating floods.
These climate shocks have led to severe humanitarian crises, displacing millions and jeopardizing food security. A report from the Danish Refugee Council highlights that the number of internal displacements triggered by climate-related disasters has surged, putting immense pressure on already fragile communities.
The EAC’s proactive stance is a direct response to these escalating threats. By aligning on a common position, the member states—which include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda—aim to secure stronger international support, greater climate financing, and technology transfer to build resilience.
The Rise of Nature-Based Solutions
The push for a common COP30 position is part of a larger, more comprehensive regional strategy. In a related development, the EAC recently launched the EAC4Nature Project, a transformative three-year initiative focused on leveraging nature-based solutions for sustainable development. As reported by the East African Community, the project, with €8 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), aims to integrate these solutions into regional policies, enhance transboundary cooperation, and strengthen the capacities of key basin organizations like the Lake Victoria Basin Commission. The initiative recognizes that protecting and restoring ecosystems is not only vital for biodiversity but is also a powerful and cost-effective tool for adapting to climate change.
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