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Economic Commission for Africa. TOWARDS EFFECTIVE REGIONAL ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA. ABDOULIE JANNEH Under-Secretary General Executive Secretary, UNECA. 12 December 2007. Bali Conference on Climate Change Regional Commissions’ Side Event on Regional Perspectives.
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Economic Commission for Africa TOWARDS EFFECTIVE REGIONAL ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA ABDOULIE JANNEHUnder-Secretary GeneralExecutive Secretary, UNECA 12 December 2007 Bali Conference on Climate ChangeRegional Commissions’ Side Event on Regional Perspectives
Introduction • Climate change is an increasingly threatening global challenge. • There is need to increase pace of response through more effective strategies at global, regional, sub-regional, national and local levels. • There is need to chart a new path to development.
Outline • Climate-related challenges for MDGs and Sustainable Development in Africa • Adaptation challenges to climate change in Africa • Regional strategies for adaptation to climate change in Africa • Conclusion
Climate-related challenges for MDGs and Sustainable Development in Africa • Africa contributes 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. • Countries in the region are most vulnerable due to: • Geographical location in warm tropical zones, rainfall variability and poor soils. • Country economies relying on climate-sensitive sectors: rainfed agriculture, fisheries, natural resources. • Poverty, poor infrastructures, limited institutional and financial capacities.
Climate-related challenges for MDGs and Sustainable Development in Africa (2) • Current and projected impacts of climate change in Africa include: • Increasing water stress and related water conflicts. • Constrained agricultural production and increasing food insecurity. • Increasing energy constraints. • Rising sea level impacting livelihoods in coastal areas. • Loss of biodiversity, forests and other natural habitats. • Expanding range and prevalence of vector-borne diseases. • Increased risks of conflicts related to population migration.
Adaptation challenges to climate change in Africa • Even if GHG concentrations are stabilized, further warming is expected. • Mainstreaming climate risk management in development in Africa is a “no regrets” policy choice. • It is necessary for sustainable growth and development in the region. • Such efforts are however fraught with: • Institutional capacity challenges. • Knowledge challenges. • Technological challenges. • Financial challenges.
Regional strategies for adaptation to climate change in Africa • African leaders are committed to integration and implementation of adaptation strategies. • Decision of the 8th Summit of AU in January 2007. • Resolution of ECA Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in April 2007. • ECA/AUC/AfDB Joint Secretariat partnership effort on Climate Information for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme: • A programme to be implemented in 3-Phases over period of 11 years. • Promotion and support to mainstreaming climate risk management into sectoral policies and decision-making processes in Africa.
Regional strategies for adaptation to climate change in Africa (2) • Enhancement of economic growth and progress towards MDGs and sustainable development. • Mitigating climate variability and climate change. • Integrated approach also addresses climate-related data and observations, and information services. • Outcome to include results in areas of policies, practices, services, and data and infrastructure. • ClimDev-Africa Programme calls for multi-donor engagement to achieve maximum impact on poverty in Africa.
Conclusion • ClimDev-Africa Programme will be implemented at regional, sub-regional, national and local levels. • Stakeholders include: • Regional Economic Communities (RECs) • Regional and sub-regional climate institutions • River/lake basin organizations • National weather, climate and water services • Ministries of agriculture, health, etc • Research institutions • Society groups, including NGOs • Media organizations.
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