African negotiators demand COP31 agenda items on adaptation finance

The African Group of Negotiators has formally requested three new agenda items for the COP31 climate summit in Antalya. Ghana, chairing the group this year, sent a letter to UN climate chief Simon Stiell last Sunday. The requested items are tripling adaptation finance, trade and climate change, and the financing arrangements of the Green Climate Fund. This move risks a major dispute over how to deliver the agreed tripling of finance by 2035.

Governments agreed at COP30 to 'at least triple' finance for climate adaptation in developing countries by 2035. The COP30 agreement did not specify the mechanism for providing these funds. Critical elements like the baseline year for calculations, the headline amount, who should pay, and how it will be delivered were all left out of the deal.

Tripling pledge lacks concrete details

The absence of concrete details makes the African Group's push for a dedicated agenda item urgent. A formal negotiating track is seen as essential to turn the political pledge into operational rules before the 2035 target becomes unachievable. Developing countries had previously proposed linking adaptation finance to negotiations on the Global Goal on Adaptation during a June session. Wealthy nations, led by the EU, UK, and Japan, opposed anchoring it there. They argued it should be discussed elsewhere.

Trade debate set to intensify

The third African request for a 'Trade and Climate Change Dialogue' item is likely to be contentious. Disputes over unilateral trade measures, including the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism, have flared at recent COPs. The African Group and Russia floated a formal negotiating track at the first dialogue, which developed countries are reluctant to open. China wants COP31 to tackle trade 'protectionism' and the free flow of green technology following US and EU curbs on its cleantech exports. Any state may object to new agenda items, after which disputed issues may be referred for consultations chaired by the summit presidency.

Green Climate Fund at critical stage

The Green Climate Fund's next fundraising round, covering 2028-2031, officially began in July. Its board is meeting in South Korea this week to agree on rules for donor contributions. A donor conference is expected by the end of 2027. The fundraising comes amid concerns over existing pledges. In May, the UK told the GCF it would deliver only half of its £1.62 billion pledge for the current period. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah said: "a dedicated item is needed."

Pre-COP coordination meetings in Antalya next week will shape the agenda debate before COP31 opens on November 9.