PRESS RELEASE
Paris, France 8 December 2015 –
The joint Pan
African lead institutions brought together African ministers;
representatives of their leaders and policymakers to plan the way
forward under a new climate change agreement in Paris while
upholding Africa’s priorities through regional solidarity on the
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) during the 2015
United National Conference on Climate Change in Paris (COP21) Africa Day
event today.
The
three Pan-African institutions, including the African Union Commission
(AUC); the African Development Bank (AfDB); the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating
Agency (NPCA) brought together hundreds of African policy makers and
experts attending COP 21 to enlighten them on Africa’s proposed
amendments to the draft Paris Agreement (especially Articles
on the INDCs) now making its way through the negotiation process.
The
Egyptian Minister of Environment, Dr. Khaled Fahmy who currently chairs
the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) told the
meeting that the provision of means of implementation for the INDCs is a
thick red line that Africa will not cross in Paris just because “we want an agreement at all cost.”
He
said that the other red lines concerned the necessity to have an
agreement with a real balance between adaptation and mitigation; while
the
other is on the legally binding aspect of the expected agreement.
“We
are not in Paris to re-write the Convention but to ensure its judicious
implementation”, he said, charging that “all African countries having
drawn up their different INDCs in accordance with the Peru outcome, the
time now is for implementation; and for all to abide by it.
All
parties to the COP21 including African countries are expected to
express their INDCs—public declarations of post-2020 climate actions
they
intend to take under a new international agreement to help global
mitigation ambitions, as well as adaptation goals within the context of
their national priorities, circumstances and capabilities. With INDC
submissions to date, global warming is expected to
be maintained at 2.7 degrees Celsius, which is above the global
ambition of 2 degrees Celsius increase. So far, out of the fifty-four
African nations, fifty-three have submitted INDCs.
“The
Paris Climate COP is the pinnacle of the global climate change
negotiations that has historic milestone from the Africa COP in Durban
COP17”.
It proofs the level of commitment by the global community in addressing
the adverse impacts of climate change and reduction of the greenhouse
gases”, she said.
Mr.
Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the UNECA, said that it is
important, therefore, that Africa's Parties submission on INDCs lead to
the conclusion of a new agreement under the Convention that is in full
conformity with its principles and provisions, in particular those of
equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective
capabilities.
“In
addition, Annex I Parties need to make “equitable and appropriate”
mitigation contributions towards achieving the objective
of the Convention taking into account their cumulative historical
responsibility and use of atmospheric space and resources and that
cumulative emissions in Africa remain extremely low”, Mr. Lopes
concluded.
The
contributions forthcoming from developed country Parties relating to
mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology and capacity are in a
balanced manner in the context of a global and comprehensive agreement
for the period beyond 2020.
AfDB
representative, Anthony Okon Nyong, speaking on behalf of Mr. Akinwumi
Adesina, AfDB President noted that “the vision of the African Heads
of State and Government to embrace green growth and low carbon
development for Africa’s transformation outlined today are meant to
propel us into a future which promotes sustainable development for
generations to come.”
“Africa has come with solutions on renewable energy; adaptation and loss and damage”, he said.
There
were two technical presentations on INDCs by the African Group of
Negotiators on Climate Change and the UNECA. A Ministerial dialogue
followed on INDCs showcasing Africa’s readiness in addressing climate
change, including its ability to deliver on its own potential with
international cooperation in addition to the contribution of INDCs to
the overall development of the continent. The ministerial
dialogue was chaired by H.E Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, Foreign
Minister of Algeria; and vote of thanks was given by H.E Dr. Elham
Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, AUC while Ms.
Olushola of the AUC served as a Master of Ceremony.
Over
500 participants attended Africa Day, which saw the participation of
high level delegates from the governments of Algeria; Cameron, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, in
addition to the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, African
Union Commission, African Ministerial Conference on Environment,
Pan-African Parliament, African Development Bank,
East African Community, European Investment Bank, Green Climate Fund,
International Labor Organization, NEPAD Planning and Coordinating
Agency, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, United Nations Development
Program, and United Nations Economic Commission
for Africa.
Throughout
the day, leaders discussed the region’s priorities with respect to
climate change, while considering the status of INDCs development
in Africa and their challenges and opportunities moving forward in
implementation.
For more information contact:
Ms. Olushola Olayide,
Ag.
Head of Division, Environment, Climate Change, Water and Land
Management; and AUC focal person to the UNFCCC; African Union
Commission; E-mail:
OlusholaO@africa-union.org
Media contact and interview request:
Molalet Tsedeke, Africa Union Commission (AUC);
molalett@africa-union.org
Penelope Pontet de Fouquieres, Africa Development Bank (AfDB),
p.pontetdefouquieres@afdb.org; +33615264061
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