Emmanuel Macron<\/strong> of France is hosting a special session for heads of state and other leaders at the Elys\u00e9e Palace on the occasion of the Summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe tools for enabling clean cooking access are readily available and affordable \u2013 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. Today\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Samia Suluhu Hassan<\/strong> of Tanzania said: \u201cEnsuring 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. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nPrime Minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re<\/strong> of Norway <\/strong>said: \u201cImproving access to clean cooking is about improving health outcomes, reducing emissions, and creating opportunities for economic growth. With today\u2019s 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 I was pleased to announce today that we are committed to investing approximately USD 50 million in this important cause.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nIEA Executive Director\u00a0Fatih Birol\u00a0<\/strong>said: \u201cThis 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, USD 2.2 billion committed, can help support fundamental rights such as health, gender equality and education while also reducing emissions and restoring forests. And the commitments announced today go beyond the money alone \u2013 they set out concrete steps on how governments, institutions and the private sector can work together to solve the clean cooking challenge this decade. I\u2019m proud of the IEA\u2019s decades of work on this issue and of its leadership in initiating this groundbreaking Summit. Going forwards, we will rigorously track the commitments announced today to make sure they\u2019re met on time and in full \u2013 and continue to do our utmost to bring greater resources and attention to this critical issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t