Thanks to financial support from the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Africa 21 Association was able to invite a delegation of African journalists to Dubai to cover COP28 from 29 November to 12 December 2023, focusing on events linked to the continent.
This unique experience was one of the most important among the latest activities of the Network of African Journalists specializing in sustainable development and climate change. Launched by Africa 21 in 2019, the program now counts over 700 journalists in 40 African countries.
Four of the selected journalists share their views on their first experience of a United Nations Conference on climate change.
"A great honour to have been selected" - Marcia Zali
Marcia Zali is a freelance journalist working at several online media outlets in South Africa. "Attending COP28 marks a turning point in my career," she says. She is counting on the relationships formed during the event to pursue new professional opportunities. "It was a great honour to have been selected by Africa 21," she comments enthusiastically, expressing her gratitude that all expenses were covered.
The events that particularly caught her attention included the session on clean cooking in Africa and a session on the blue economy, as well as the discussion, "Born into a world in flames" at the Health Pavilion, and another on the link between epidemics and climate change in the Mozambique Pavilion.
"Opening a new chapter in my career" - Thuku Kariuki
Thuku Kariuki is an independent journalist in Kenya who works for the written press and produces television reports as well. Like Marcia Zall, he saw this as " a great honour and joy to be chosen, as well as a recognition of my work on the environment for the last 10 years. Being able to interact with leaders from all over the world at COP28 was a big step forwards in my career, and the opportunity to open a new chapter."
Among the key moments of his time in Dubai, Thuku cites Africa Day, during which many speakers "set out the path for countries on the continent to follow in terms of the actions required, needs and funding sources". He also mentioned the sessions organized by the African Development Bank on green banks, the Climate Action Window, and the program to speed up adaptation in Africa.
"A valuable experience in terms of information and networking" - Nassima Oulebsir
Nassima Oulebsir is an Algerian journalist who is responsible for the environment section of the French-language daily newspaper, El Watan. As an environmental journalist, her first experience at a COP was "a stand-out event". "It was also very satisfying, with lots to discover, and a very valuable experience in terms of information and networking." From a professional perspective, she acknowledges having gained a lot from the event, which was "a huge source of learning". Like her colleagues, she feels that the COP worked as an accelerator in terms of making contacts to help her build a pool of experts and tell the best stories about the environment.
Among the sessions that particularly struck her, Nassima points to the important round-table discussions on climate finance, commenting that "efforts are futile without resources".
"Listening to developing countries and vulnerable communities" - Ernest Agbota
Ernest Agbota, a journalist from Benin, produces programs about the environment on Radio Parakou and for the ORTB's national newspaper. "The participation of African journalists at the COP was an opportunity to hear from participants from developing countries, vulnerable communities and young people," he emphasizes. "Thanks to the support of the African Development Bank, we were able to play our role in raising public awareness about climate change and the importance of climate action," says a delighted Ernest.
He was particularly struck by the high-level round table on French-speaking countries, with the announcement of a new programme to support young African entrepreneurs in the field of green technologies and agriculture.
Africa 21 and the delegation of African journalists warmly thank the African Development Bank for the opportunity to cover COP28.
