Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network (RCCDN) staff as a national platform for the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in Rwanda, partaken in the likes workshop on the 15th and 16th of February, 2023 on the 36th summit of Heads of States and Governments of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Workshop aimed at strengthening the strategy for engagement with COP28 and beyond, and developing strategic messaging to African heads of state and other strategic African institutions towards an impactful coming Conference of Parties. The meeting shaped a common approach for PACJA, its partners, and key public, civil, and private stakeholders.
RCCDN Coordinator, Faustin Vuningoma and the Young Digital Activist, Djenny Mwizerwa participated in the sidelines meeting of the aforementioned 36th summit of Heads of States and Governments of the African Union organised by PACJA in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In his opening remarks, Dr Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director at PACJA, told delegates about the aim of COP28, “The COP28 strategy framework will aim to consolidate our reference agenda for global influence through united African voices and approaches. We wish to see a unified policy at both the technical and high levels of engagement to ensure that there is no misrepresentation of Africa’s interests and aspirations.”
Dr Jean Paul Adams, Director of Technology, Climate Change, and Natural Resource Management at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa insisted on SDG; citing the interlinkage between the two, “Emphasis should be put on the fact that we will not be able to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) if we do not tackle Climate Change.”
Dr Jean Paul Adam Director of Technology, Climate Change, and Natural Resource Management at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
This prompted Mr Ephraim Shitima, Chair of the Africa Group of Negotiators, to acknowledge the importance of African representation. “We must root our collective action in indisputable science. We are tasked with speaking on behalf of the African people and we must gather all data from all stakeholders to ensure we represent Africa well. That being said, there is no voice that is more important than that of CSOs,’ he said.’
COP28 has been dubbed ‘The Global Stocktake’ and PACJA is working towards having a strategic framework that will inform the advocacy efforts towards it. The consultations were held to draw lessons from COP27, develop key messages in the evolving geopolitical context of global climate dialogues and devise strategies to secure COP28 outcomes that are ambitious and as par with Africa’s urgent needs and aspirations.
Coordinator of Africa Adaptation Initiative, Ambassador Seyni Nafo took the opportunity to express gratitude to the African Group of Negotiators chair at UNFCCC and recognised their efforts in compelling Adaptation for Africa.
The consultations built on earlier reflections and analyses that started in Kigali, Rwanda and numerous other efforts scattered across the continent. These efforts have attempted to inspire the ambition and trust needed to address the deteriorating climate crisis that has threatened the livelihoods of millions of Africans in precariously unjust yet avoidable suffering.
After two days marked by high-level political remarks, keynote presentations, panel discussions, plenary discussions, and small group reflections, participants observed and recommended as found in the African Civil Society Statement presented to the 36th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.
With the help of: Djenny Mwizerwa
Michael Owen Ngoga
