10 December 2014: Africa Day at the Lima Climate Change Conference provided a platform and opportunity to critically examine the implications of the post-2015 climate change agreement for the continent and how to enhance the involvement of women and youth in climate change adaptation. The day included a high-level event on ‘Africa in a Post-2015 New Climate Change Agreement.’

Fatima Denton, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), cited the Clim-Dev Africa Programme as an African-led process to strengthen the knowledge base for climate-smart development and disseminate it at community level. Speaking on best practices to empower women and youth in climate activities, Alcinda António de Abreu, Mozambique, highlighted a national drive in her country to educate youth and communities to care for nature, resulting in the planting of more than six million trees every year.

Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Vice President, Tanzania, stressed that Africa needs a legally binding climate agreement that places issues of adaptation, finance and technology transfer at the forefront. Nagmeldin El Hassan, African Group, highlighted gaps in parties’ current commitments, as they fall short of “keeping Africa safe” in a 2°C world. He also expressed concern about developed countries’ focus on mitigation and voluntary contributions.

Jessica Eriyo, East African Community, recalled her experience as one of two African ministers at the Bali Climate Change Conference who “forced their way” into the closed contact group on a compromise agreement. She urged negotiators to remain firm and work as a team to ensure that the Lima outcome reflects their concerns.

Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), noted that a key objective of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is to “level the playing field” in the climate finance landscape, saying that half of the US$10 billion of GCF funding has been earmarked for adaptation activities, with a priority for Africa and small island developing States (SIDS). In addition, developing countries have equal representation on the GCF Board, which has chosen to focus on direct access and country ownership.

The African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB) and UNECA organized the event in collaboration with the Governments of Tanzania and Mozambique. [IISD RS ENBOTS Coverage] [IISD RS ENBOTS Video Coverage of Africa Day] [IISD RS Coverage of Lima Climate Change Conference] [AU Africa Day Announcement] [UNECA Website] [AfDB at COP 20 Website] [AfDB Press Release] [IISD RS Story on African Group of Negotiators at COP 20]