Transcript Regional Integration in Africa: Case for Rationalisation

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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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Conclusion
•
•
ClimDev-Africa Programme will be implemented at regional, subregional, national and local levels.
Stakeholders include:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
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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THANK YOU!
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