This week Jambo Africa Online launches “African Diary” – a section which will announce all the major multilateral meetings which will be taken place on the continent convened by such institutions as the African Union (AU); AfCFTA Secretariat; Economic Commission on Africa; Regional Economic Communities Business Councils (such as COMESA); and pan African business chamber federations such as the Africa Business Council (AfBC) and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI).
- Meeting Of African Ministers of Finance, Economy, Development and Environment ahead of COP27
Financing Africa’s Development through Climate Resilience
7 SEPTEMBER, 2022 TO 9 SEPTEMBER, 2022
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
The world is in the throes of a cumulative crisis – the COVID-19 pandemic, economic decimation and climate change and environmental degradation. When the Ukrainian crisis that is hitting several countries in such diverse sectors as wheat and tourism with full force, is coupled with this, the equation becomes much more complex and innovative approaches are vital. There is consensus that a green pathway which promotes carbon neutral investments, clean jobs and reduced pollution will guarantee sustainability.
The first IPCC Working Group report showed that global warming has already reached 1.1°C and could reach 1.5°C well before 2040. Even with less than 2°C of warming, some key risks are expected to result in widespread, invasive and potentially irreversible impacts, particularly in the case of high exposure and insufficient adaptation. Whatever the Shared Socio-economic Pathways scenario, the risks associated with warming will inevitably increase in the short term. Moreover, the latest IPCC report is clear: we need to act now. The observed impacts, projected risks, current trends in vulnerability and the limits of adaptation show that there is a stronger need for action on climate-resilient development than previously assessed. Consistent action is required immediately, as each increase in temperature undermines the probability of achieving resilience.
The IPCC report is also clear on what needs to be done: we must drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. If we aim to respect the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees and further keep the goal of 1.5°C within reach, global emissions should peak between 2020 and 2025 at the latest and decline to global carbon neutrality by 2050. In concrete terms, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by almost 50% by 2030 and by 80% by 2040 compared to 2019 to limit the rise in temperature to 1.5°C. Nevertheless, the distribution of GHG emissions continues to vary unequally, both geographically and socially. For example, the 10% of households with the highest per capita emissions in developed countries contribute 34-45% of overall household greenhouse gas emissions, while the African continent as a whole contributes less than 5%.
The rapid and far-reaching transitions required to stay within the Paris Agreement temperature target require enormous financing. For African countries, already committing between 3-9% of its budgets to finance climate change adaptations, such financing requires significant support from partners at a scale far larger than has been mobilised so far, and through appropriate instruments that are relevant and responsive to the specific needs and circumstances of Africa.
Objective
The overall objective of the meeting is to i) ensure coherence of African climate finance positions with needs and ii) prioritise actions that can be led by African countries with targeted support to increase climate finance available for implementation.
The specific objectives are to provide the avenue for:
- To leverage African leaders’ voices to mobilize greater international support for a green and resilient recovery in Africa, that includes deploying sustainable energy to drive growth and investments while improving energy access.
- To crystalise, in consultation with AGN and AMCEN, African key messages on climate finance in relation to the additional grant resources needed, as well as innovative financing which can further mobilise the private sector
- To engage global leaders to on the imperative of committing and disbursing the requisite financial and technological contributions to climate actions in Africa in fulfilment of the requirements of the Paris Agreement
- To provide a potential platform for a number of African countries to present their revised NDCs and/or announce long term strategies and link these plans and strategies to financing streams.
Expected outcomes
The meeting is expected to lead to the following outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Improved coordination of African initiatives to scale up and accelerate implementation;
- Outcome 2: Strengthened joint planning and implementation through a clearly defined joint implementation plan; and
- Outcome 3: Defined key opportunities for intervention at all levels to advocate at COP27.
- Outcome 4: Issue a clear call for specific Africa focused principles and asks in relation to climate finance.
Format of the meetings, date and venue
The meeting will be held in person for two consecutive days on 8-9 September 2022 as per provisional Programme of Work with statements from Ministers of Finance outlining key messages for Africa leading up to COP27.
Documents
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2. 6th Conference of Africa Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration
A Decade into APAI-CRVS: Reflecting on progress and accelerating efforts towards 2030 through transformed systems.
24 OCTOBER, 2022 TO 28 OCTOBER, 2022
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The 6th Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration will be held from 24-28th October 2022 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the theme: A Decade into APAI-CRVS: Reflecting on progress and accelerating efforts towards 2030 through transformed systems. The Conference aims to:
a. review progress in the development of CRVS systems over the last ten years, including taking note of new developments since the last Ministerial Conference and the fast-approaching deadline of the 2030 agenda;
b. share innovative practices and strategies for the development of CRVS systems and;
c. provide policy directives on priority measures and strategies for accelerated improvement of CRVS systems which will constitute the new regional CRVS strategy and plan.
In order to adhere to public health measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference will adopt a hybrid approach, allowing for in-person and virtual participation. The Conference will bring together African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration, Ministers of Health from selected countries, country experts drawn from Ministries Responsible for Civil Registration, Ministries of Health, National Statistical Offices, and National Identity Management offices, Young African Statisticians and development partners.
The Conference, which will draw seasoned panellists from within and outside Africa, is envisaged to identify priority strategic actions that will accelerate progress of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems in Africa over the next 8 years, ensuring there’s considerable progress in achieving 100% and 80% registration of births and deaths respectively as set by the sustainable development agenda by 2030.
Structure
The Conference will have two components; the first is the Experts Segment, which will meet from 24th to 26th October 2022 for technical deliberations aligned to the theme and the statutory issues of the Conference. This will be followed by a Ministerial Segment, which will take place on 27th and 28th October 2022, and that will provide policy directives for the continental CRVS agenda. A number of side events and exhibitions will be held at the margins of the Conference.
Sustainability
All documents of the Conference will be made available electronically through a dedicated portal, while a ‘print on demand only’ service will be provided on site.
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3. Eighth Meeting Statistical Commission for Africa
24 OCTOBER, 2022 TO 28 OCTOBER, 2022
Addis Ababa
To download the document titled, “Status of integration of geospatial and statistical information in Africa”, please click here.