Equity and fairness are fundamental principles in climate negotiations under the UNFCCC, essential for incentivizing active and effective participation of all parties involved. Historically, the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) has been used to define the fairness and equitability of the international climate process which placed considerable accountability on developed nations on account of their historical responsibility for climate change and their capacity to address the problem. However, the Paris Agreement marked a shift toward a more inclusive global approach, requiring all countries to submit climate action plans tailored to their unique circumstances. Under the Paris Agreement, developing countries which were historically inculpable are also required to take comparable climate action alongside developed countries albeit in accordance with their socio-economic uniqueness. The study examined how Least Developed Countries (LDCs), from Africa, a sub-set of the developing countries within the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) perceive fairness and equity within the Paris Agreement framework. Using exploratory research, focused informant interviews and questionnaire to LDCs negotiators from Africa found that these countries acknowledge the retention of preferential provisions—such as flexible reporting requirements and targeted financial support—in the Paris Agreement as an important element in their consideration of fairness and equitability of the regime given their socio-economic status, vulnerability, and susceptibility to negative impacts to climate change have not improved since 1997. On the other hand, the study found that LDCs from Africa continue to face an avalanche of structural and systematic challenges in international climate negotiations which include inadequate representation, limited access to scientific information, and power imbalances with developed and emerging developing countries which necessitated the retention of the flexibilities and preferential conditions in the current climate regime. About 75% of the LDCs from Africa negotiators think that the retention of flexibilities enables them to participate in climate action in accordance with their abilities while allowing space to participate in their sustainable development and socio-economic pursuits without any restraining obligations. Despite these challenges, African LDCs from Africa, have developed ambitious NDCs, with 80% adopting economy-wide and long-term low-carbon strategies. Their commitment to
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