Decision on the High Level Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa (WPCCAA) and Preparations for the Global Climate Change Events in 2014 – Doc. Assembly/AU/11(XXIII)

DECISION ON THE HIGH LEVEL WORK PROGRAMME ON CLIMATE
CHANGE ACTION IN AFRICA (WPCCAA) AND PREPARATIONS
FOR THE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE EVENTS IN 2014

Doc. Assembly/AU/11 (XXIII)

The Assembly,

1. TAKES NOTE of the Report of the Coordinator of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania on the High Level Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa; Preparations for the Global Climate Change Events; and ENDORSES the recommendations therein;

2. FURTHER TAKES NOTES with interest the Declaration of Oran adopted by the African Ministerial Conference on Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication held in Oran, Algeria from 22 to 23 February 2014;

3. REITERATES that international support for means of implementation in particular finance and technology in the context of the Climate Change Convention is key for Africa;

4. COMMENDS CAHOSCC on the provision of the necessary political guidance on emerging issues at the global negotiations that has enabled the African Group to devote unwavering support to defend the African Position and interests with one unanimous voice and unity of purpose;

5. APPRECIATES the tremendous efforts on the development of the CAHOSCC Framework Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa as a continental framework that will guide the African Union, its Regional Economic Communities and Member States in addressing climate change in the near future;

6. REAFFIRMS that Adaptation is a priority in all actions on Climate Change in Africa;

7. STRESSES the need for adequate means of implementation, that would provide adequate, predictable, new and additional finance; affordable technology development and transfer, capacity building, adaptation and also paying due attention to mitigation actions which would allow Africa the space for sustainable development;

8. CONFIRMS continued participation in global efforts for climate change mitigation actions that support Sustainable Development on the continent;

9. FURTHER NOTES the global events on the Climate Summit to be convened by the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, on 23 September 2014 in New York; and the Twentieth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Tenth Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to its Kyoto Protocol (COP 20/CMP 10) that is scheduled to take place in Lima, Peru from 1 - 12 December 2014;

10. COMMENDS the laudable work of the CAHOSCC Coordinator, H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the CAHOSCC for the quality of leadership and coordination in pursuit of the Assembly’s Decisions for Africa to continue to advance its common position on climate change, speaking with one voice in climate change negotiations, including at the Climate Summit in September 2014 in New York, USA;

11. ENDORSES the High Level Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa;

12. REQUESTS the Commission, in collaboration with the relevant Specialized Technical Committees (STCs) and other relevant African institutions to:

1. Undertake study on identification of five African Regional Technology Centres, which possibly serve to link and network with National Designated Climate Technology Entities (NDEs) as well as with the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN); and report its proposal and recommendations to the of the Executive Council;

2. Elaborate on the implementation of the CAHOSCC Youth Programme on Climate Change (CYPCC) including Youth participation in climate change negotiations; and continental wide youth competition on climate change aspects to enhance youth engagement in climate change actions;

3. Develop a CAHOSCC Women and Gender Programme on Climate Change (CWGPCC) to engage women and gender in climate change related actions;

4. Ensure Diplomatic Missions in Addis Ababa, New York, Brussels, Nairobi, Geneva, Paris, Washington D.C. and to incorporate the African Climate Change Agenda in strategic diplomatic issues to enhance Africa’s interest on climate change;

5. Prepare an African Climate Resilient Agricultural Development Programme (ACRADP) in the context of Africa’s Agricultural growth transformation Agenda by bring relevant sectors together;

6. Put in place a Sustainable Forest Management Programme in Africa (SFMPA) in collaboration with African Ministers responsible for Forestry and Energy.

13. URGES Member States to urgently complete the development of their national Adaptation Plans (NAPs); put in place systems and structures for Africa to take full advantage of the global mechanisms in support of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. In particular, Member States are urged to put in place National Designated Authorities (NDA) and those Member States that have not put in place the National Implementing Entities to do urgently. This is to facilitate access and utilisation of available resources;

14. FURTHER REQUESTS the Commission, UNECA/ACPC, AfDB, UNEP, UN Women and other Partners to support the implementation of this Decision.