Africa Open DEAL - Data for the Environment Agriculture and Land & Africa’s Great Green Wall

Africa Open DEAL - Data for the Environment Agriculture and Land & Africa’s Great Green Wall 

A continental leadership on environmental data

Video Message by

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

13 July 2021

 

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Today’s event is the result of a big collaborative effort on climate action.

2. A cooperation between FAO, the African Union Commission (AUC),

3. the Pan-Africa Agency for the Great Green Wall, and

4. the Southern African Development Community,

5. together with other regional organizations and donors.

6. The Africa Open DEAL uses new digital geospatial technology to

7. collect and analyse environmental, agricultural, land use and climate data.

8. It is:

• the first Africa-wide digital statistical sampling-based assessment;
• coordinated by African Experts;
• in close collaboration with FAO and key partners.

9. It provides a baseline for monitoring and reporting on changes in Africa’s Agriculture, Forest area and other Land Use.

10. It is useful to African Members in assessing and reporting on their national and international commitments to:

• the SDG indicators;
• the African Union Agenda 2063;
• the three Rio Conventions;
• the Paris Agreement; and
• the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

11. FAO and the AUC are currently preparing the first report on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) implementation in Africa.

12. Data collected through the Africa Open DEAL is the basis for that.

13. Over 350 national experts, operators and country institutions used digital Collect Earth tools developed by FAO, in collaboration with the Google Earth Engine.

14. They assessed 318 000 plots, collecting information and data on 120 environmental variables and land parameters for each plot.

15. The data collected reveals status and trends in land use and vegetation cover, including forests, cropland, grassland, restoration potential and opportunities in Africa’s drylands.

16. This is a large-scale endeavour and an incredible achievement!

17. Africa is the first region to embark on this initiative.

18. We must keep the momentum!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

19.  This initiative demonstrates that science and innovation can provide real solutions.

20.  It shows that collaboration and pooling experience, leads to the best results.

21.  The Africa Open DEAL integrates agri-food systems considerations with environmental concerns.

22.  This is in line with the objectives of the UN Food Systems Summit and COP26.

23. The data collected through the Africa Open DEAL is made available through FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform.

24. This is the synergy of different projects and initiatives supported by FAO.

25. These include:

• The technical support provided to 30 countries to plan and track implementation progress of NDCs in Africa;
• the Action Against Desertification programme in support of Africa’s Great Green Wall and South-South Cooperation; and
• the National Land Monitoring and Information System for a transparent NDC reporting.

26. FAO will continue standing proudly side by side with Africa;

27. supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and better life, leaving no one behind.

Thank you.