AGNES Africa Climate Governance, Diplomacy and Negotiations Leadership Program (CGDNL) 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you are an African-based professional passionate about shaping climate policy, negotiation and governance, then the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) Africa Climate Governance, Diplomacy and Negotiations Leadership Program (CGDNL) – Cohort XXI” is now open for applications. This training – offered by AGNES Africa – provides a timely opportunity to deepen your understanding of climate science, governance and diplomacy, and to strengthen your capacity to engage effectively in international climate-change policy and implementation. Here's everything you need to know.
🌎 Programme Summary
Location: Virtual (online).
Host institution: AGNES Africa (African Group of Negotiators Expert Support), headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
Programme level: Leadership training programme (non-degree).
Target group:
Policy and decision-makers using climate science and responsible for national/sub-national climate policies, programmes and projects.
Climate scientists and professionals working in think-tanks or academia.
Climate-change negotiators and international diplomats; representatives of non-state actors such as NGOs, inter-governmental organisations, private sector working in climate change and environment.
Jurists involved in climate change and environmental governance.
Fields of focus: Climate governance, diplomacy and negotiation leadership including climate science basis, climate finance, governance frameworks & more.
Value & coverage: The programme is free of charge.
Duration: 12 weeks; participants are expected to commit approximately 3 hours per day (online) during the training.
Application deadline: 15 December 2025. (According to the call text you provided; note that earlier cohort deadlines have been earlier in prior years.)
Start date: Immediately after selection; schedule is virtual (sessions held daily/regularly).
🌐 Programme Overview
The AGNES Africa Climate Governance, Diplomacy and Negotiations Leadership Program is designed to build and strengthen African climate leaders, improving their knowledge and negotiation skills so they can engage effectively in international climate change policy discourse and contribute to implementation of climate actions at national and regional levels.
🧩 The curriculum is structured around multiple modules covering:
Module 1 – Physical Science Basis of Climate Change: including weather and climate, global climate system, greenhouse effect, greenhouse-gas sources/sinks, climate projections, vulnerability, loss and damage, adaptation/mitigation/resilience, specifically with attention to Africa.
Module 2 – IPCC Processes: introduction to IPCC structures, how reports are prepared, participation, processes and summary-generation.
Module 3 – Climate Leadership and Communications: principles of climate leadership, value-based leadership, communication strategies, strategic communications.
Module 4 – Climate Diplomacy and Negotiations: introduction to diplomacy & negotiations, theories and models, communications in diplomacy, organisation and management of international climate-change negotiations (including UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement etc), key actors (negotiating groups), drafting and understanding treaty texts, simulation/role-play. And more modules
Participants receive specialist instruction, engage in interactive sessions—including simulations and role plays of negotiation scenarios—and build networks with peers and practitioners across Africa. The training programme is virtual, so participants can join from anywhere in Africa.
🎁 Programme Benefits
No tuition fee: the training is offered free of charge.
Certificate of successful completion is provided.
Access to high-quality content on climate science, governance, diplomacy and negotiation—strengthening one’s professional profile in the climate policy and governance arena.
Networking opportunities with other climate professionals, negotiators, policymakers and academics across Africa.
Practical insight into international climate negotiation processes (UNFCCC, IPCC), skills in drafting, negotiation etiquette, strategic communications and leadership.
Enhanced capacity to contribute to national/sub-national climate policy development and implementation.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should meet:
Be citizens of an African country.
Hold at least a first university degree from a recognised institution.
Have relevant professional experience (typically at least 2 years) in climate/environment/negotiations/governance field.
Work in or aspire to work in one of the target groups: policy decision-makers, climate scientists/professionals, negotiators/diplomats, NGOs/inter-governmental organisations/private-sector actors in climate change, or jurists in climate/environmental governance.
Be able to commit to the virtual training schedule for the duration of the 12-week programme. (Approximately 3 hours per day of sessions)
📝 Application Procedure
Visit the AGNES Africa training portal and locate the call for applications for the Climate Governance, Diplomacy and Negotiations Leadership Programme.
Complete the online application form.
Prepare a short application letter or motivation statement, outlining your interest in the programme and how you envisage contributing to climate governance and negotiations in Africa.
Submit supporting documents such as:
Curriculum vitae / résumé.
First degree certificate and transcripts (or proof of degree).
Proof of professional experience (2 years or more) in relevant field.
Any other documents specified in the application instructions on the portal.
Submit the application by the deadline (15 December 2025).
Selected participants will be notified and provided with further schedule and access details for the virtual sessions.
👌🏻 Tips for Applicants:
Demonstrate a clear interest and some experience in climate governance, diplomacy or negotiations rather than a generic interest in climate change.
Highlight your commitment to Africa’s climate agenda—how you intend to leverage this training to enhance your contribution at national or regional levels.
Indicate your availability and capacity to attend virtual sessions over the full duration of the programme.
Ensure that your online application is complete and all required documents are provided before the deadline.
Keep an eye on technical requirements for the virtual training (stable internet connection, time-zone differences, etc.).
Use the application letter to present your professional background, the relevance of the training to your career aspirations, and one or two concrete goals you aim to achieve after completion.
