Uganda’s UN envoy Ayebare to receive Africa climate diplomacy award

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Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, has been named the recipient of the 2026 African Climate Diplomacy and Policy Leadership Award in recognition of his role in shaping the Global South’s climate agenda.

The honour, announced this week by Devtide Africa, cites Ayebare’s leadership as Chair of the Group of 77 and China, where he has emerged as a key voice in global climate negotiations, particularly on loss and damage financing, adaptation support and debt relief for developing countries.

The award will be presented on March 13, 2026, in Accra, Ghana, during the Climate Leadership Forum and Awards, to be held under the theme “Uniting African Voices for a Fairer Climate Future.”

According to the organisers, Ayebare was selected following a rigorous, merit-based vetting process conducted by the editorial board of Climate Justice Africa Magazine, published by Devtide Africa Limited.

In a formal notification dated January 28, 2026, Devtide Africa said the award recognises Ayebare’s “outstanding leadership in multilateral diplomacy” and his stewardship of collective Global South interests at a time of growing climate vulnerability.

“Under his leadership, the G77 and China has maintained a unified negotiating position in often complex and fragmented international climate talks,” the citation noted.

The selection committee highlighted Ayebare’s advocacy for adaptation finance, technology transfer and climate action aligned with development realities, noting that these remain critical for countries most exposed to climate shocks.

Organisers further credited him with strengthening Africa’s negotiating power within the United Nations system and amplifying the collective voice of developing nations in discussions on climate finance, sustainable development, debt relief and reforms of global governance institutions.

His leadership was described as strategic, consensus-driven and morally grounded, with a focus on ensuring that climate justice, fairness and inclusivity remain central to international negotiations.

The Climate Leadership Forum and Awards 2026 is expected to bring together senior policymakers, diplomats, climate envoys, development institutions and civil society leaders from across the continent. Organisers said confirmations are already being received from participants representing multiple African countries and sectors.

Although Climate Justice Africa Magazine is headquartered in Nigeria, Ghana was selected as the host country to offer diplomatic convenience, accessibility and security for high-level participants. Accra was described as a neutral and well-connected venue conducive to strategic dialogue.

Organisers said his participation would “significantly enrich the forum” and help strengthen momentum towards a fairer and more inclusive global climate framework.

Who is Ayebare

Before entering diplomatic service, Ayebare was a journalist, working with several regional publications including The Market Place and The EastAfrican.

During that period, he reported extensively on political developments and conflict in the Great Lakes region.

He was appointed Uganda’s ambassador and head of mission to Rwanda and Burundi between 2002 and 2005, before going on to serve as principal adviser and special envoy to Uganda on the Burundi peace process.

Prior to his appointment as Uganda’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ayebare worked as senior adviser on peace and security at the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the UN.

Ayebare has also served as Uganda’s deputy permanent representative and chargé d’affaires to the United Nations, and previously worked as director of the Africa Programme at the International Peace Institute in New York.

He is a holder of two master’s degrees from Long Island University and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and a certificate in international security from the Harvard Kennedy School as well as two doctorates from Indiana University and Rutgers University, New Jersey.