‘African countries must work together to implement Paris Agreement’

Experts and ministers from across Africa have agreed that countries in the continent must work together when implementing national climate action plans. The Paris Climate Change Agreement is to mobilize climate finance, while integrating climate action into sustainable development planning. 

They stated this at the just concluded Africa Carbon Forum held in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The forum was to take stock and align strategies on how financial resources should be mobilized to ensure sustainable development and emissions reduction on a continent-wide scale.

According to a statement by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Senior Minister in charge of Planning and Development of Benin, Abdoulaye Bio Tchane said, “Africa is the continent most affected by climate change. Two thirds of Africans make their living off the land, consequently, it is critical that the continent secures a climate-resilient economic and development path.”

With commitments already made by countries under the Paris Agreement, and with more commitments expected, African ministers and other leaders stressed the importance of building momentum that will enable the transformational shift towards low carbon and greater resilience to climate change. 

They also highlighted the need for new partnerships to develop and further spur sustainable development.  

The Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, Patricia Espinosa, in her remarks said, “Africa will see explosive growth through to the middle of the century. Not only that, Africa is one of the most important engines for growth worldwide in the coming years.”She maintained that African people are at the core of this growth but that the growth needs to be shaped on the basis of related climate and sustainable development criteria.

“Africa’s nationally determined contributions to the agreement are blueprints for attracting private sector investment and pushing forward. Implementation of the Paris Agreement is the foundation for stability, for security and prosperity as the population grows to 9 billion people or more by 2050,” she added. 

The implementation of the Paris Agreement means food and water and energy for everyone.