By Baboloki Semele– The 12th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XII) concluded on Monday second of September 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, urging the continent to accelerate innovative financing for climate adaptation. Held alongside the special 10th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), the conference saw policymakers, leaders, and climate advocates come together to address one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: climate change.
Ahead of COP29 in Baku, CCDA-XII became a crucial forum for Africa to redefine its climate strategy. Participants at the conference explored cutting-edge solutions, shared vital expertise, and forged new partnerships designed to build resilience and spur sustainable growth across the continent.
Nassim Oulmane, Acting Director for Climate Change at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), underscored the urgency for innovative financial solutions to support Africa’s adaptation initiatives. “Without adequate, predictable, and accessible financing, our efforts to implement climate adaptation strategies will be severely constrained,” Oulmane stressed, calling on governments and institutions to pool resources and provide the necessary scientific and financial support to withstand the intensifying impacts of climate change.
Key discussions at the conference focused on leveraging limited public funds to unlock vast private sector investments, ensuring that African countries can finance climate action in a meaningful way. The emphasis on inclusive stakeholder engagement, especially for women, youth, and marginalized communities, reflected a renewed commitment to equitable climate-resilient development.
Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), highlighted the conference’s role in amplifying Africa’s voice on the global climate stage. “From addressing the adaptation finance gap to tackling desertification, our collective efforts here will influence AMCEN and COP29,” Mwenda said, reinforcing the importance of African leadership in global climate negotiations.
A press release from United Nations Economic Commission for Africa says as Africa battles the growing effects of climate change, CCDA-XII has laid the groundwork for a united and strategic response. The release emphasized that the outcomes of this conference will guide the continent’s preparations for the COP29 negotiations, setting Africa on a path to a resilient, sustainable future.