According to the AU, the bloc would promote “strategic and sustainable regional cooperation” while supporting local value chains, part of what it’s calling Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy. African nations have long struggled with inadequate investment in infrastructure, technology and workforce development, challenges only made worse by mounting debt burdens and climate volatility. During the 2023 COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, developed countries pledged $300 billion annually to support developing nations’ climate adaptation efforts. Meanwhile, climate change continues to hit African nations hardest, despite their minimal contribution to global emissions. The AU’s climate declaration re-emphasised the principle of “climate justice”, demanding not just compensation, but also sovereignty over green resources.