Rotterdam, 6 September 2022 (TDI): The Africa Adaptation Summit held at the Global Center on Adaptation, brought together African and international leaders to outline the most critical aspects of the international community’s response to the climate crisis in Africa.
Global Center on Adaptation along with African Union, International Monetary Fund, Africa Adaptation Initiative, and Climate Vulnerable Forum convened the Africa Adaptation Summit in the Netherlands on 5th September.
Ahead of COP27, the GCA called for “high-level dialogue” to prepare the ground for a breakthrough in adaptation for Africa at COP27. Along with $55 million in fresh funding to mobilize over $25 billion in climate adaptation action programs for Africa.
Also read: Africa Adaptation Summit 2022
Moreover, the Africa Adaptation Summit highlighted the commitment of African nations to working together to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The five-point Communique of the Africa Adaptation Summit emphasized that Africa was at a turning moment since it is particularly susceptible to the food crisis brought on by the conflict in Ukraine and was on the front lines of the global climate collapse.
Furthermore, it underscored that the success of COP27 will depend on whether Africa has its requirements fulfilled and whether finance is flowing into significant country-led adaptation projects like the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP).
Statement by CEO of Global Center on Adaptation
According to Dr. Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of GCA, Africa is unstoppable. However, it is ground zero for the disintegration of the global climate.
Since the effects of climate change in Africa cannot be mitigated, rapid-fire adaptation measures must be taken. Besides, in the weeks leading up to the UN climate summit in Egypt, the globe must intensify efforts to adapt.
He added, “We need an adaptation delivery breakthrough for Africa at COP27.” The CEO continued that adaptation financing is now clearly flowing across Africa.
Certainly, it indicates that COP27 will deliver the money requested from wealthier nations for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program and its Upstream Financing Facility. On the contrary, the advancement of Glasgow’s COP is in jeopardy if it fails.
WTO at Africa Adaptation Summit
Director-General World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala addressed the Africa Adaptation Summit about the need to use trade policy to combat climate change and improve supply chain resilience, particularly for Africa.
Furthermore, at the summit’s sidelines, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the heads of the WTO and GCA in the context of accelerating action on climate change adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable areas.
How do we support Africa’s adaptation needs? At the @GCAdaptation Summit in Rotterdam to mobilise $25 billion to finance Africa’s efforts. Trade & Investment are part of the solution. Signing an MOU on WTO-GCA cooperation with CEO @PVV_GCA, H.E Ban Ki Moon & H.E PM Balkanende. pic.twitter.com/mmBpq5l78W
— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) September 5, 2022
In a statement, DG WTO stated that trade policies should be integrated into global climate action as an amplifying force for funding and other climate-related help provided to vulnerable economies.
The Director-General added that WTO stands ready to cooperate with partners, pointing to the new MOU signed with the GCA to strengthen trade and climate adaptation cooperation.
In case you missed it: @NOIweala underlines the importance of trade policy as part of global climate action at the #GCA2022 Africa Adaptation Summit. Read on below: https://t.co/p5QrhynczN
— WTO (@wto) September 5, 2022
IMF at Africa Adaptation Summit
Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, at the Africa Adaptation Summit, addressed the Resilience and Sustainability Trust. She said that “we have the capacity now to be a force for good on adaptation.”
Speaking about the @IMFNews Resilience and Sustainability Trust at the Africa Adaptation Summit, Managing Director @KGeorgieva said, “We have the capacity now to be a force for good on adaptation.” Watch: https://t.co/5XrdP3pr6Q pic.twitter.com/LWGv4N5jxC
— Global Center on Adaptation (@GCAdaptation) September 5, 2022
Moreover, at the summit, the Managing Director had a great exchange with the African Union Chairperson and President of Senegal, Macky Sall.
Both leaders discussed the challenges, funding requirements, and regional and global outlooks for addressing food insecurity, boosting resilience, and combating climate change.
Great exchange with @Macky_Sall of Senegal @GCAdaptation #AfricaAdaptationSummit. #GCA2022.
We discussed the regional and global outlooks, challenges, and financing need to tackle food insecurity, strengthen resilience, and tackle #climate change.
The IMF stands with Africa. pic.twitter.com/sa2ubnoYZC
— Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) September 5, 2022
In addition, Kristalina Georgieva spoke with the Finance Minister of the Netherlands, Sigrid Kaag, at the summit.
Great discussion with my good friend @sigridkaag. We agreed multilateral cooperation is imperative as we confront systemic global challenges, including cost-of-living pressures, food insecurity, and #climatechange. Thank you the Netherlands🇳🇱for your strong support for our work. pic.twitter.com/6EVqfysdYw
— Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) September 4, 2022
Both parties agreed and concurred that multilateral collaboration is imperative while confronting systemic global concerns such as rising cost of living constraints, food shortages, and climate change.
