FAO renews its support to the African Small Island Developing States during the COP22
Marrakech.- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is committed to support the sustainable development of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Africa through several initiatives, including projects in areas such as Blue Economy and Blue Growth, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Climate Smart Agriculture and Climate Adaptation for Rural Development. This was underscored by Ms Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General and Coordinator for Natural Resources, during the keynote speech at the side event on Innovative Solutions to Climate Change Challenges for the SIDS.
The side event gathered Ministers and senior officials of the African SIDS and the International Organizations, including the African Union, several United Nations agencies and organizations, the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. It was organized by SYAH Cabo Verde, the African Climate Policy Centre of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the World Meteorological Organization at the African Pavilion during the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Marrakech, Morocco.
In her opening remarks, the African Union Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture, Ms. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, highlighted the importance of supporting the islands in Africa to achieve a full sustainable development of the continent, as well as their strategic role to advance the African agenda on the oceans and achieve the goals of the Agenda 2063.
Afterwards, the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization, Mr. Petteri Taalas, spoke about the need of promoting robust climate data in Africa, in particular in the SIDS to be able to foresee extreme weather phenomena and strengthen the network of meteorological institutions to become and effective early warning system for the continent.
To conclude the opening remarks, the Chair of Bureau of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) and Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Cabo Verde, Mr. Gilberto Silva, explained the initiatives to support national institutions working on climate in Africa and to reinforce the exchange and network of African Institutes of Meteorology. He also mentioned the relevant challenges that climate change poses to the African SIDS and showcased some investments that Cabo Verde is doing in the fields of renewable energy and reforestation to mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as in the agricultures and water management to adapt to climate change.
The keynote speech was delivered by Ms. Maria Helena Semedo. “FAO promotes responsible fisheries and aquaculture including through managing coastal and marine ecosystems,” she said, adding: “Through our Blue Growth Initiative we have expertise that allows us to provide a holistic and integrated approach to addressing issues such as coastal erosion, early warning and carbon sequestration which are all part of building coastal resilience of ecosystems and fishing communities, in addition to securing food through sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.” She also mentioned FAO’s support for a SIDS platform and referred to the African Package announced during the COP22 Global Climate Action Oceans event package both of which can contribute to combatting climate change impacts for African SIDS.
During the panel with dignitaries of the African SIDS, the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Seychelles, Mr. Didier Dogley, explained some of the innovative solutions that his country is taking to tackle climate change challenges, including the Blue Bonds and Climate Trust Fund and Endowment Fund. According to the Minister, these financial instruments are key to achieve climate resilience and support measures for adaptation and mitigation.
The Director-General of Environment and Forests of Comoros, Mr. Youssouf Elamine Y. Mbechezi, highlighted some of the environment protection programs that his government is implementing to foster climate adaptation and support the resilience of vulnerable communities in rural and coastal areas.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Gilberto Silva called for a solid partnership to support African SIDS and emphasized the importance of reinforcing the intraregional exchange of knowledge and information amid African SIDS to consolidate an effective network and share best practices on climate adaptation and mitigation that entrench the resilience of the peoples from island nations.
Contact
Antonio Palazuelos Prieto
Communication Specialist FAO Cabo Verde