Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 15:00 - 16:00 EAT

The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to “accelerate climate action across the continent, mobilize adaptation finance and shape the global climate agenda from an African perspective.” Following the inaugural Africa Youth Climate Assembly and the first ACS in Nairobi, Kenya, states reconvened in Addis Ababa in 2025 to consolidate continental priorities, assess progress, and strengthen Africa’s collective voice in global climate negotiations.

The urgency of climate action in Africa cannot be overstated. The continent faces intensifying droughts, floods, food insecurity and biodiversity loss, with severe consequences for livelihoods and stability. African youth are disproportionately affected, bearing the brunt of these crises while having the least resources to adapt. Their leadership is therefore indispensable in shaping just and effective responses.

Globally, ecocide is gaining traction as a legal norm. In 2024, Small Island Developing States filed a proposal to amend the Rome Statute to include ecocide as an international crime, and countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo have publicly endorsed this initiative. Across Africa, youth-led networks are driving grassroots campaigns, strengthening advocacy capacity and coordinating efforts to enshrine ecocide in law at national, regional and international levels.

Africa’s youth occupy a strategic moment: they can translate ACS2 outcomes into tangible progress for legal protections, bring ecocide into national agendas and shape Africa’s position ahead of COP30. This event is African youth-led and youth-focused, designed to equip emerging leaders with insight, strategy and collaboration to advance ecocide law.

Speakers:

Debbie Buyaki

Counsel Louis Ninisima

Mwaka Namukonda

Moderated by: Jubile Kasay