COP24, the global climate summit held in Katowice, Poland, has concluded with the African Development Bank (AfDB) assuming its role as primary champion of African interests and a steadfast supporter of African negotiators
During the two weeks of the conference, the negotiations continued to reach an agreement on specific parts of the 'rulebook' to be applied from 2020 by the 197 signatories of the Paris Agreement, to limit global warming to 2°C-1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels.
Intense negotiations, modest progress, determined African negotiators:
For two years, the 50 African countries that have ratified the Paris Agreement focused on the need to construct a specific, transparent framework for climate finance. African negotiators–including the AGN, supported by the bank–have also been negotiating to have developed countries, largely responsible for global warming, to implement their commitments. Developed countries are required to help developing countries conduct their ecological transition in line with the Paris Agreement made in December 2015.
The bank fulfils its role as Africa’s spokesperson and leader:
In addition to the bank’s role as purveyor of knowledge, experience and expertise, it organised 50 panel discussions and conferences at its Pavilion, which bubbled with a wealth of views shared by 30 experts who led discussions across the subject of climate change in all its dimensions: water and sanitation, agriculture and forestry, transport and urban development.
The gender dimension, the role of civil society and the private sector, meteorology and related technologies, renewable energy and the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions, were other topics discussed.
The bank is more resolved than ever to continue its work to combat climate change in Africa and its advocacy work to defend the continent's interests.
Combating climate change: never give up:
Anthony Nyong, director of the bank's Climate Change and Green Growth Department at COP24, said, “We see women who are losing their livelihoods; we see hungry children; we see communities reduced to dust by tornadoes and hurricanes. That's what motivates us, drives us and makes us redouble our efforts to work to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on our communities.”
Nyong continued, "We will continue to work with those who are conscious of the urgency and the need to respond to the challenges facing Africa, and that is what we're going to focus on: ensuring that Africa has the resources it needs, so that climate change does not completely negate the progress that the continent has made. We want to carry on building on the gains made, not make them all over again to then see them destroyed.”
