COP31: PAP President Boutbig Demands Climate Justice and Action for Africa

PAP President Fateh Boutbig calls for climate justice at COP31 as a Zambia Pavilion event highlights climate and soil model laws for practical action.

ANTALYA, Türkiye | 14 November 2026 — Pan-African Parliament President H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig has called for climate justice for Africa, urging international partners to fulfil commitments on climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building, while challenging African parliaments to turn climate pledges into funded programmes that improve people’s lives.

Speaking at a PAP high-level side event at COP31, Boutbig placed fairness, the right to development and international responsibility at the centre of Africa’s climate response.

“Africa, among the least responsible for the climate crisis, remains among the most vulnerable to its consequences,” he said.

His message linked the continent’s demands for international support with the responsibilities of its own institutions: African countries must strengthen their legislative and institutional responses, and parliaments must ensure that climate commitments lead to implementation.

Climate Justice Must Deliver Beyond Negotiations

Boutbig described climate justice as more than a negotiating position. His appeal placed the protection of people and their development prospects alongside the international obligations needed to support climate action.

He called for commitments on finance, technology and capacity building to be fulfilled, while stressing that adopting ambitious legislation is only one stage of the response.

“Laws, however ambitious, cannot bring about change through their adoption alone. Their true value lies in their implementation, through concrete measures, adequate budgets, and projects that improve people’s lives,” he said.

The distinction carries a clear message for parliamentary leadership. Climate legislation needs financing, institutional capacity and sustained scrutiny of delivery if it is to produce tangible benefits.

For African legislatures, this means connecting lawmaking with budget decisions and oversight, so that commitments can be assessed against what governments actually implement.

Warning Over Pollution of Shared Water Resources

The PAP President also raised concerns about pollution and the deliberate contamination of rivers and trans-boundary watercourses.

He warned that such practices threaten human, animal and plant health, disrupt ecological balance and jeopardize the rights of future generations.

Boutbig called for stronger legislative cooperation among African countries, supported by effective mechanisms for prevention, accountability and the protection of shared natural resources.

His remarks linked environmental protection directly to human welfare, identifying water resources, agricultural land and ecosystems as central to climate resilience.

The emphasis on trans boundary watercourses also highlighted the need for cooperation where environmental damage can extend beyond national borders. The statement did not identify a particular incident or country in connection with the warning.

Zambia Pavilion Event Showcases Parliamentary Tools

Boutbig delivered his remarks at the Zambia Pavilion during a PAP side event themed “From Legislation to Action: Advancing Climate Resilience Through Parliamentary Leadership.”

The event showcased the PAP Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management and the Draft PAP Model Law on Climate Change, examining how these frameworks can support national responses to environmental and development challenges.

Representatives of the African Union Commission, the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), PAP and national parliaments participated.

Opening remarks were delivered by Boutbig; PACJA Executive Director Dr. Mithika Mwenda; and Dr. Jihane El Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment Division, representing AU Commissioner Moses Vilakati, whose portfolio covers Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.

Soil Management Links Climate Action with Food and Water Security

The first showcase examined how the Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management can contribute to food security, water resilience and land restoration.

Hon. Garry Sakata, Chairperson of PAP’s Committee on Transport, Industry, Communication, Energy, Science and Technology, delivered the presentation.

Hon. Tafanana Zhou, a Zimbabwean parliamentarian and member of PAP’s Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, moderated the session.

The focus on soil management brought the discussion to practical concerns affecting livelihoods: the condition of agricultural land, the resilience of food production and the protection of water resources.

Draft Climate Law and Follow-Up Actions

The second showcase examined the Draft PAP Model Law on Climate Change and its relevance to continental priorities and COP31 outcomes.

Mr. Charles Mwangi, PACJA’s Head of Programs and Research, presented the draft, followed by discussions.

The distinction between the instruments remains important: the statement identifies the climate change model law as a draft. The frameworks were presented as legislative reference points for African Union Member States considering stronger national approaches to climate change and sustainable soil management.

Participants also considered recommendations and proposed follow-up actions, although the statement did not detail their contents or implementation timelines.

Hon. Dr. Arlete Borges, PAP’s Fourth Vice-President and a Member of Parliament from Angola, delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks.

The event reinforced Boutbig’s central appeal: climate justice must be accompanied by delivery. International commitments and African parliamentary leadership will have greater practical value when they result in adequately funded measures that protect communities, restore land and strengthen resilience.