Key stakeholders from the public sector, private sector and civil society from Africa and beyond will meet next week in Cotonou, Benin, to take forward collaborative climate action for sustainable development in the region.
At the 9th Africa Carbon Forum (ACF) scheduled to hold from Wednesday, June 28 to Friday, June 30, 2017, participants will focus on how to strengthen cooperation between government and other stakeholders in key sectors for Africa – notably energy, agriculture and human settlements. This includes the role of future carbon markets in boosting climate action and sustainable development.
The meeting will include a high-level ministerial segment hosted by the Government of Benin, at which Ministers and high-level officials will discuss mobilising financial resources to tackle climate change. These resources are in particular required for strategies that African countries can adopt to implement their national climate action plans (“Nationally Determined Contributions” or “NDCs”).
“Now is the time for African countries to translate their national climate action plans under the Paris Climate Change Agreement into policies and implementable programmes at the national level,” said Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). “The Africa Carbon Forum can explore how existing emission reduction initiatives can be further strengthened in key sectors of African countries. It is also an opportunity to explore the role of future carbon markets to help countries in reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, Senior Minister in charge of Planning and Development from the Government of Benin, said: “Africa is the continent most affected by climate change. Two-thirds of Africans make their living off the land, consequently, it is critical that the continent secures a climate-resilient economic and development path. Hosting the Africa Carbon Forum demonstrates Benin’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and to the broader prosperity of the continent.”
The Africa Carbon Forum in Benin will include the discussion of:
- Practical examples of policies, initiatives and actions in Africa;
- Barriers and enabling measures for engaging climate action in key sectors;
- Financial instruments and regulatory frameworks;
- Advancing the implementation of climate action.
Over the past decade, the Africa Carbon Forum has provided a unique platform for Africans to engage on climate change issues in the region. The Forum brings together key stakeholders from the public sector and other non-Party actors from Africa and beyond.
It witnesses the participation of key multilateral and bilateral development institutions and experts to discuss urgent actions needed on the ground and share experience and build capacity for implementation of actions.
The ACF has been described as an opportunity for financiers, policymakers and project developers to share experiences, network and build capacity.
