WHAT: Africa Day High-Level Side Event at COP29
WHO: African Union Commission, African Development Bank Group, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the New Partnership for Africa's Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), African Government Representatives
WHEN: Wednesday, 13 November 2024: 14:00-17:30 Baku Time (GMT+4)
WHERE: African Pavilion, Blue Zone, Baku Stadium, Azerbaijan.
The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, will host a high-level side event to commemorate Africa Day at the 2024 global climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, 13 November 2024, is titled " Scaling Up Financing For Climate Adaptation And Green Growth In Africa."
Africa Day serves as a platform for African Heads of State and Government, leaders of regional institutions, ministers, researchers, leaders in the private sector and financial institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and other stakeholders to address shared challenges, reaffirm Africa's priorities during the annual global climate conference. It also allows the continent's leaders to deliberate and propose ways forward on critical issues relating to climate change and other development challenges.
Expected outcomes of the Joint high-level event:
- Enhanced high-level political commitments and a unified African Common Position on climate action.
- Expanded partnerships, networks, and collaboration efforts
- Enhanced cooperation for climate-smart investments in Africa's critical sectors
Background and Context
Africa, one of the regions most impacted by climate challenge, received only 20 percent of global adaptation finance flows - about $13 billion annually in 2021-2022 - significantly less than the amount allocated to East Asia and the Pacific. Additionally, financing remains disproportionately focused on mitigation, even though adaptation investments are essential for building Africa's climate resilience.
Climate change is impacting lives across Africa, especially among the most vulnerable populations. As extreme weather events increase, integrated risk management approaches are crucial to minimize human and economic losses and sustain development progress.
The Bank and African regional organizations will jointly host the Africa Pavilion to provide a platform and voice for Africa's effective participation. It is also a venue for networking among member state officials and participants from policy, science, and practice communities.
The African Union, African Development Bank, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa have consistently supported Afr'ca's active participation in COPs through initiatives like the African Pavilion and Africa Day. These initiatives amplify the continent's voice, mobilize political commitment, and showcase the continent's climate challenges, opportunities, and responses.
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