Close to 60 countries, as well as companies and development institutions, gathered on May 14 in Paris that resulted in the channeling of unprecedented resources to addressing the challenge of providing clean cooking access to huge numbers of women and children in Africa and beyond.
Co-chaired by the leaders of the governments of Tanzania and Norway, and the African Development Bank and the International Energy Agency, the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa has mobilized $2.2 billion in financial pledges from governments and the private sector. Close to 60 countries took part in the Summit, with over 1,000 delegates in attendance. President Emmanuel Macron of France hosted the special session for heads of state and other leaders at the Elysée Palace on the occasion of the Summit.
Also, at the summit, more than 100 countries, international institutions, companies and civil society organizations also endorsed The Clean Cooking Declaration, pledging to make the issue a priority.
The tools for enabling clean cooking access are readily available and affordable – and can have a profound impact on the lives of people across Africa and beyond. But progress in many African countries has significantly lagged what has been seen in other regions in recent decades
“This Summit has delivered an emphatic commitment to an issue that has been ignored by too many people, for too long. We still have a long way to go, but the outcome of this summit, $2.2 billion committed, can help support fundamental rights such as health, gender equality and education while also reducing emissions and restoring forests,” said International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol.
The summit is the first time that such a large amount has been dedicated to clean cooking access at a single gathering, with the potential to make 2024 a turning point on an issue that has been overlooked for too long. The pledges made at the summit come on top of other recent commitments including that of the African Development Bank at COP28 in Dubai.
Lack of access to clean cooking affects over 2 billion people worldwide. More than half are in Africa, typically cooking over open fires and basic stoves. Using charcoal, wood, agricultural waste, and animal dung as fuel, they inhale harmful toxic fumes and smoke with dire consequences for health. It is the second leading cause of premature death in Africa. Women and children account for most of the lives lost, the vast majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Opportunities for education, employment and independence are limited because women instead spend hours each day foraging for rudimentary fuels.
“Ensuring clean cooking access for all in Africa needs adequate, affordable, and sustainable financing for appropriate solutions and innovations; adequate global attention; and smart policies and partnerships. Successfully advancing the clean cooking agenda in Africa would contribute towards protecting the environment, climate, health, and ensuring gender equality,” President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania said.
“This Summit underscores our commitment to advancing this agenda and providing a framework towards universal adoption of clean cooking fuels and technologies across the continent,” he added.
For his part, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway said: “Improving access to clean cooking is about improving health outcomes, reducing emissions, and creating opportunities for economic growth. With today’s Summit, we have mobilized much needed support, and built a diverse partnership that together can make a real difference.”
Norway is a steadfast supporter of clean cooking, and committed to investing approximately $50 million for the initiative.
