5 May 2012: The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) second green growth seminar highlighted the involvement of civil society in promoting green growth in Africa. Presenters from Oxfam provided an overview of their initiatives in the region, and offered evidence of inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth in Africa, Latin America, and elsewhere. Participants were also briefed on the AfDB’s engagement with civil society.

The seminar took place on 3 May 2012, in Tunis, Tunisia, hosted by the AfDB’s climate change coordination committee. Oxfam noted that much of society’s needs must be met within the boundaries of social and planetary limits, which will entail redefining economic priorities and promoting policies to ensure observation of these limits. They highlighted a number of projects that showed success in implementing such policies, stressing that reducing inequality and addressing climate change are critical components of green growth policies.

AfDB’s presentation on its civil society engagement framework emphasized the importance of civil society for achieving greater results through collaboration and cooperation, particularly in strengthening capacities and increasing access to local populations.

The seminar is one of a series being hosted by AfDB to encourage greater understanding of green growth and help define the AfDB’s green growth strategy. [AfDB Press Release]