At a series of events across the annual UN Climate Change Conferences (COP28), Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, delivered a single message to world leaders: Africa needs to be heard, Africa’s future is the world’s future, and the continent that is most impacted by and the least contributor to climate change needs our attention.
Africa transitioning to green and renewable energy sources will require considerable investment, which cannot be at the expense of the drive to urgently address the current energy deficit on the continent.
With African youth set to make up one-third of the global population later this century, the future of Africa’s youth, entrepreneurial, ambitious, resilient, needs to be given the highest priority.
Heirs Holdings’ philanthropic arm, the Tony Elumelu Foundation in collaboration with the United Bank of Africa Dubai, also hosted a high-level, multi-stakeholder event focused on the urgent need for innovative approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation while fostering sustainable development and bringing attention to Africa’s unique position.
Speakers included Dr. Okonjo Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization; Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP, Kevin Frey, CEO, UNICEF Generation Unlimited; Sergio Pimenta, VP Africa, IFC; Wendy Teleki, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Financial Initiative, World Bank; Adam Wang-Levine, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate; Joseph Nganga, Vice President, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Rockefeller Foundation; Hassan Al Hashemi, VP International Relations, Dubai Chambers; Serge Ekué, Chairman, West African Development Bank (BOAD); Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa; and Mattias Frumerie, Swedish Climate Ambassador and Head of Delegation, UNFCCC.
“Addressing climate change is the paramount challenge of our era. The urgency is unmistakable. It is critical that Africa, as a continent, and African voices play a key role in global climate conversations as meaningful participants and no longer as bystanders. Africa is least responsible and is disproportionately impacted by climate change.
– Tony O. Elumelu, CFR
On Sunday December 3, Tony Elumelu, CFR, participated at the Clinton Global Initiative discussion in a session themed “Taking Action Together for the Most Vulnerable on the Climate-Health Nexus.” He engaged in a fireside chat with Ms. Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Change, moderated by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton.
During the session, he discussed the relationship between climate change, healthcare, and security, especially in Africa – highlighting how the collaborative efforts of the global private sector, philanthropic communities, and public sectors would play a critical role in driving positive change through investments in renewable energy, healthcare, and job creation.
“Climate change is real. It has a telling impact on health. It has a significant impact on joblessness. It has a huge impact on security.”
– Tony O. Elumelu, CFR
Earlier this year, the Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chairman participated at the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in London, at the invitation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and U.S. President Joe Biden.