The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) convened an Africa Adaptation Knowledge Network (AAKNet) workshop under the theme “Convening Adaptation Knowledge Networks and Platforms in Africa,” from 5-6 February 2013, in Nairobi, Kenya.
The participating representatives from regional adaptation knowledge platforms agreed to adopt AAKNet as the continental network responsible for coordinating adaptation knowledge.
5 February 2013: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) convened an Africa Adaptation Knowledge Network (AAKNet) workshop under the theme “Convening Adaptation Knowledge Networks and Platforms in Africa,” from 5-6 February 2013, in Nairobi, Kenya. The participating representatives from regional adaptation knowledge platforms agreed to adopt AAKNet as the continental network responsible for coordinating adaptation knowledge.
Delegates explored potential synergies among initiatives and agreed that AAKNet will be responsible for: coordinating, facilitating, harnessing and strengthening the exchange of information and knowledge; building new alliances to enhance collaboration and innovation; harmonizing and aggregating knowledge in usable packages tailored for addressing particular climate risks; fostering and supporting strategic planning and policy processes; and building capacity to provide short, midterm and long-term solutions to climate change. It was also noted that AAKnet should rely on established sub-regional, national, or local networks that are closer to the ground.
The meeting also called on the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN), an organ of the African Union (AU), to recognize AAKnet thereby providing it a legal and political operation modality. The AAKNet is part of the UNEP-facilitated Global Adaptation Network (GAN). [AAKNet Website] [COMESA Press Release]