Jambo Africa Online’s “African Diary” is a section which announces 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)…
Johannesburg, 10-11 November 2022
Amid geopolitical tensions and the long-term impacts of the pandemic, accelerating growth in a more sustainable and inclusive way has become an imperative for both Europe and Africa. As highlighted during the 6th European Union-African Union Summit, held in Brussels in February 2022, the time has come for the two continents to adopt a joint vision towards 2030, based on a fair and mutually beneficial economic, trade and political partnership: in order to meet the major challenges of the future, the only way forward is to strengthen the Euro-African dialogue, building high-level relations between key decision-makers in both realities.
The 9th edition of the Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue, taking place in Johannesburg, is a unique platform capable of promoting this dialogue and supporting the long-term growth of strategic trade and economic relations between Europe and Southern Africa.
Among the key topics of discussion:
- The African Geopolitical, Business and Investment Outlook
- CEO views on African business
- Africa’s rebirth the power of the creative economy
- The future of African cities: urban regeneration, SMEs and sustainability
- Green and Circular Economy: future perspectives for business
For inquiries about the event
Filippo Malinverno
The European House – Ambrosetti
filippo.malinverno@ambrosetti.eu
Phone. +39 02 46753 627
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Tenth Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa
Just Transitions in Africa: Transforming Dialogue into Action
24 OCTOBER, 2022 TO 28 OCTOBER, 2022
Windhoek, Namibia
Introduction
The world is in the throes of a climatic catastrophe, an existential threat like none other, as its economies relentlessly continue to devour carbon budgets faster than it can restore or replenish. Unprecedented climatic disruption continue to amplify in both frequency and ferocity as low-likelihood, high-impact outcomes precariously take hold. Undoubtedly, climate change is the world’s most urgent challenge. The planet is already feeling the effects of sustained inaction with temperature records increasingly being broken by large margins. New analysis from the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO’s) most recent Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update underscores that the likelihood of crossing the 1.5OC global temperature threshold has risen significantly (WMO, 2022). There is now approximately a 50:50 chance that the world will warm by more than 1.5OC over the next five years, implying that temperatures between 2022 and 2026 will be between 1.1C and 1.7C higher than pre-industrial levels.
For years, the tendency has been to put off any concerted response to the climate threat, despite clear and growing scientific evidence. As is often the case, the urgent crowded out the important. Yet, WMO’s new record adds to the disturbing and disruptive path that climate change has set for the globe. As long as nations continue to emit greenhouse gases, temperatures will continue to hit frightening heights, oceans will continue to become warmer and more acidic, sea ice and glaciers will continue to melt, sea levels will continue to rise, and our weather will become more extreme. The world needs to urgently respond to the evidence that we are hitting climate tipping points with equally urgent action to decarbonise the global economy and start restoring instead of destroying nature. Read More …
Tracks
Although just transitions, green growth opportunities and resilience will be the cross-cutting themes of CCDA-IX, there will be parallel tracks organized by strategic sectors related to climate change. The tracks are:
- Just energy transitions
- Nature based solutions and carbon markets
- Adaptation and building climate change resilience
- Challenges and opportunities for climate financing
- Green growth opportunities and job creation
- Food systems and enhancing value chains
- Youth engagement
The discussions during the parallel sessions will contribute to the cross-cutting themes and its conclusions will be incorporated in the final declaration of CCDA-IX. This call-to-action will be widely disseminated and taken to the climate global high-level events.
In order to provide a platform to confront these issues and formulate actionable recommendations, ClimDev-Africa partners consisting of Africa Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), in collaboration with the Government of Namibia, are convening the 10th Climate Change and Development in Africa Conference (CCDA-IX) in Windhoek, Namibia in October, 2022.
Objectives
CCDA-X aims to launch a continent-wide debate on the actions required to bring about a transition that is truly just for Africa as well as how the continent can develop appropriate frameworks to prepare for the just transition. Specifically, the conference objectives will include:
- Deliberate on the actions required for just transition in Africa, how to finance the transition, as well as the opportunities arising from the just transitions in other regions of the world
- Leverage African leaders’ voices to mobilize greater international support for a green and resilient recovery in Africa, that includes job creation, enhanced food systems and value creation to benefit local communities via the deployment of sustainable energy to drive growth and investments
- Increase ambition in NDC (particularly NDC financing) by ramping up the offer on the quantity and the quality of finance for adaptation and mitigation
- Build momentum on stakeholder engagement and a wider coalition to support a more inclusive transition in Africa
- Provide a platform for country examples and best practices of just transition strategies on the continent
Format
The tenth Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa will take place over three days convening the wide range of constituencies and actors engaged in climate change and development in Africa. By uniting different platforms, parallel sessions for dialogue and interaction, the Conference will facilitate and enrich the sharing of lessons, key research findings, outreach and policy uptake, as well as stimulate investment. Crucially, these discussions will crystallize a common position on Africa’s approach to just transitions in the lead up to COP-27.
In addition, there will be side events organized by specific stakeholders, as well as an exhibition fair to show innovations and initiatives related to the themes of the CCDA-X. As has been the tradition of previous conferences, these events will be self-organized forums for various partners and stakeholders to discuss topics that are in line with the theme of the Conference.
This iteration of the CCDA will continue to employ the hybrid model of participation, including virtual and in-person speakers and delegates, as a way to enlarge the outreach. All measures will be taken to guarantee the safe stay in Namibia for all participants that decide to travel. The use of masks will be compulsory, while social distancing will be kept and health and hygiene facilities will be available around the clock. Participants will be updated when registering on the requirements to travel to Namibia.
Participants
CCDA-X will gather a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies, including the following:
- Policymakers and technocrats, including African parliamentarians and representatives of the ministries of finance and economic planning of various African countries, the African Group of Negotiators on climate change;
- Research institutions and scientists: Climate Research for Development in Africa and academia, including universities, regional climate centres and research centres;
- Civil society organizations, including women groups, farmers, youth, indigenous, handicapped, IDP and refugee groups;
- Local governments, cities and regions’ decision makers;
- Development partners;
- International organizations;
- The private sector.
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6th Conference of Africa Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration
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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Seminar On Recent Economic Situation and Forecasts for The ECOWAS English Speaking Countries
11 OCTOBER, 2022 TO 14 OCTOBER, 2022
Banjul, The Gambia
Objective
The main objective of the seminar is to share experiences and take stock of the recent economic situation and the macroeconomic estimates for the year 2022, forecasts for 2023 and projections for 2024-2025 in the ECOWAS English speaking countries (The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone). It seeks to contribute to the efforts made to inform the monitoring of the macroeconomic convergence in the ECOWAS countries and to orient national and sub-regional policy development and programmes.
Documents
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The launch of Team-Energy Africa
18 OCTOBER, 2022
Cape Town, South Africa
SDG 7 initiative for Africa aimed at accelerating access to low carbon energy by 2030 and cleaner energy by 2050.
At the United Nations High Level Dialogue on Energy Ministerial Forum held in New York in September 2021, significant commitments were made towards accelerating the availability, accessibility, affordability, reliability and sustainability of low carbon and clean energy to the poorest member states of which the majority are Sub-Sahara African nations. Subsequently, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Sustainable Energy for All and the African Energy Chamber launched the idea of Team-Energy Africa as an SDG 7 accelerator initiative. It aims to mobilize Africa’s entrepreneurs, captains of industry and project developers to take centre stage in driving investments that energise and industrialize Africa by tapping the continent’s abundant energy resources.
The SDG 7 Accelerator – Making energy poverty history in Africa
The continuous increase in demand for energy driven by a growing middle class, industrilazation and urbanization requires a disruptive solution to meet sustainability objectives. An investment opportunity in the order of USD 500 billion is vital to double the current capacity of 250GW by 2030 and improving that by at least five fold by 2050. Team-Energy Africa provides a unique opportunity for African investors, financial institutions, policies and regulatory advocates, captains of industry and project developers to rapidly respond to closing Africa’s energy investment gap. Our mantra for success is built on three pillars; sustainability, governance and finance. Through collaboration and working closely with member states, development partners, and capital markets, we will accelerate development of sustainable infrastructure with private-sector participation. The governance structure includes a board and an advisory council supporting the management team of an expert group on natural gas to power, renewables, strategic policies & financial advisory and women & youth groups working closely with country and regional enablers.
The value and transformational aspects of Team-Energy Africa include:
- Innovative business models opening access to Africa’s capital, mobilising investments for Africa’s power sector towards Africa’s energy project development by African developers in the entire energy value chain.
- A group of experienced African investors harnessing the opportunities and ensuring economics of scale amidst the true risk of African business environment advocating a common view on the energy transition with a unified voice.
- Seamless business relationships with member States addressing key policy and regulatory barriers to mobilizing finance, fostering investor confidence and attractiveness to the African energy market.
- Harmonizing efforts from individual investors, project developers, financial institutions, and policy makers to capitalise on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to fast-track its establishment.
- Contribution to quality jobs, energy access and climate change mitigation and adaptation by enabling transformative investments in low carbon emission energy.
Crystalizing Team-Energy Africa and establishing the digital platform “African Energy Market Index” will require mobilizing dedicated resources, assets, personnel and a services provider committed to the initiative and delivering milestone results leading to the official launch at the African Energy Week on the 18th October 2022.
On behalf of Team Energy Africa, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Sustainable Energy for All and the African Energy Chamber, we look forward to your support and sponsorship to making energy poverty history in Africa.
Document
Team-Energy Africa Executive Summary
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Eighth Meeting Statistical Commission for Africa
24 OCTOBER, 2022 TO 28 OCTOBER, 2022
Addis Ababa
The Statistical Commission for Africa is the regional equivalent of the Statistical Commission of the Economic and Social Council, which is the highest body in the global statistical system. The Statistical Commission for Africa is the highest decision-making body in Africa responsible for setting statistical standards, developing concepts and methods and implementing them at the national, subregional and continental levels. The meeting provides an opportunity for participants to discuss the link between African and global statistical systems to ensure that Africa is not left behind in global statistical initiatives. Participants will also be able to discuss progress and statistical development in African statistical systems. Furthermore, the meeting will serve as a platform for international partners to meet representatives of member States of the Economic Commission for Africa to discuss the needs of those member States.
In the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the meeting will provide Member States with an opportunity to take stock of ongoing global initiatives and to seek ways to mainstream and take ownership of new and updated methodologies to enhance their statistical capacity. Particular emphasis will be placed on how to modernize and transform national statistical systems in Africa to ensure that the data needed for subregional and continental integration and the global agendas are available.
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The 28th Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts of Southern Africa
Greening Industrialization in Southern Africa through digitalization, infrastructure development and regional integration: leveraging AfCFTA implementation
26 OCTOBER, 2022 TO 27 OCTOBER, 2022
Maputo, Mozambique
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Joint Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts of the ECA Offices for North and West Africa “Food and Energy Security in North and West Africa amid Triple Crises”
1 NOVEMBER, 2022 TO 3 NOVEMBER, 2022
Marrakech, Morocco