Reflecting on Two Days of Engagement on Climate Action and Adaptation in Johannesburg

Taking a moment to reflect on my 21-hour experience participating in the two-day African Climate Roundtable forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, I am filled with a sense of inspiration witnessing the collective determination to address the pressing issue of climate adaptation and commitment towards catalyzing a climate change resilient Africa.

The past 21-hours have comprised of engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, co-chairing a thought-provoking roundtable discussion, and sharing experienced based opinions on a leadership panel.

At the eve of the African Climate Roundtable, my team and I had a meeting with Mr. Ibrahim Cheik Diong United Nations Assistant General and Director General of the African Risk Capacity Group (ARC), focused on the operationalization of the MoU signed at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78). Moving forward, both GGGI and ARC agreed to jointly cooperate on ‘Anticipatory Action and Insurance’ as well as disaster risk reduction with a focus on mobilization of finance for climate adaptation.

On the 7th of May, the African Climate Roundtable commenced with invigorating messages from leaders of various reputable global organizations sharing their commitment towards the operationalization of Africa’s climate agenda. Among these were: H.E. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations, Mr. Nelson Muffuh, Resident Coordinator in South Africa, United Nations, H.E Cindy H. McCain Executive Director of World Food Programme

Introduced by Mr. Menghestab Haile, Regional Director, Southern Africa, World Food Programme, H.E. Ibrahim Thiaw, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and Dr. Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO, Global Center for Adaptation, among other key dignitaries.

It was my privilege to deliver an opening speech on behalf of H.E. Ban Ki-Moon’s, President and Chair of GGGI Assembly, sharing a call for collaboration, stating that “Global Green Growth Institute stands ready to work with countries and all the organizations represented at the Roundtable to forge pathways and act towards a greener, resilient, and more prosperous future for all.” I echo his sentiments of unity, with H.E. Ban emphasizing that “strong, proactive partnership coupled with solidarity in mission and vision are the cornerstone for innovative adaptation solutions.”

Following commencement speeches, the day progressed to roundtable sessions and leadership panels. In the roundtable, my co-chair from the Africa Adaptation Initiative, and I spearheaded discussions on scaling up adaptation in Africa and followed up with a panel discussion themed on the Triple A of Climate Finance: Access, Affordability and Availability

The outcomes of these events are an exciting glimpse into the potential for adaptation in Africa and ideas my peers are working to implement. They underscore the urgency of collective action, harnessing local expertise and mobilizing resources effectively to build a more resilient Africa capable of adapting to the challenges of climate change and fostering sustainable development.

1.????? Self-financing potential: Africa must explore domestic financing programs beyond international aid. There exists untapped potential, necessitating through assessments and guidelines for self-funding opportunities.

2.????? Regional cooperation and capacity building: The impact of climate change transcends geographical borders, yet national adaptation plans (NAPs) and nationally determined contributions (NDCs) lack regional integration. This gap necessitates the development of policies to bridge adaptation initiatives between countries and regions.

3.????? Dedicated funding for scaling up adaptation: Entities equipped with the appropriate business models are hindered when scaling up projects due to a lack of dedicated support and funding. Establishing a climate action facility would aid in the scaling up of adaptation projects.

4.????? Enhancing awareness: Increasing awareness on the implicit and explicit impacts of climate change is imperative across sectors. Educating both the public and private sectors on adaptation would increase engagement and support effective implementation.

5.????? Climate adaptation from a different lens: Adaptation projects are usually viewed in a narrow lens as socially conscious projects. Shifting the perception of adaptation as a business opportunity can promote private sector engagement and drive investment.

6.????? Promoting African expertise: Capitalizing on knowledge sharing across African countries can minimize learning curves and enhance adaptation efforts. Countries with similar climate contexts can collaborate, developing replicable adaptation projects and practices.

7.????? Credit self-rating: Africa is reliant on limited risk assessment rating entities, developing ratings based on desktop data without contextual field research to accurate determine the investment potential of private sectors. It is in Africa’s best interest to develop its own credit rating agencies to develop realistic credit and risk assessment.

At the fringes of the African Climate Roundtable, I had the greatest opportunity to meet with Adeyinka Badejo-Sanogo, Deputy Regional Director, Operations UN World Food Programme Southern Africa Regional Bureau. Our meeting focused on the operationalization of the MoU signed at the 2023 Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, we discussed on the next steps on the joint proposal currently under completion, on Climate Smart Agriculture, forest management, IDPs with an interface on Carbon in the Republic of Congo and in Zambia. It is our objective that the two organizations can foster their value-added expertise in the development of sustainable transboundary initiatives around the Congo-basin.

This was followed by a short meeting with Mr. Andry Fidiniaina Mo?se Rasamoelina, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Madagascar on green Growth transition.

My bilateral meetings concluded with short catch up with Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello, Executive Director, World Bank Group, whereby we discussed areas to strengthen between our 2 organizations for more access to climate adaptation.

Reflecting on the roundtable, panel discussions and the one-on-one conversations that I had over the past 21 hours, every moment has been dedicated to advancing the resilience of Africa. Leaving the African Roundtable forum, the actionable recommendations and insights generated during the discussions will be compiled into a comprehensive white paper. This paper will serve as a critical advocacy tool ensuring African voices are heard and African climate agendas prioritized.

As I leave Johannesburg, I do so with a reinforced sense of purpose and determination, encouraged by the unity in our vision for a more sustainable future.