ARFSD -10: CSOs Discussed Pragmatic Actions in Influencing Adaptation Finance Flows To Frontline Communities

 On 17th April 2024, PACJA and its partners held a side event ahead of the 10th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 22nd to 25th April. The event focused on “Harnessing the Power of the Troika to Deliver for Africa” and explored mechanisms to connect the power of the Troika to advance pragmatic actions in influencing adaptation finance in Africa. The Troika consists of UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil and represents the past, present, and future COP Presidencies. They have unveiled a plan to ensure that countries’ next round of NDCs align with the 1.5°C target.

During the opening session, Charles Mwangi highlighted that Africa is facing the stark reality of climate change impacts that continue to intensify, exacerbating vulnerabilities and threatening the hard-won development gains of the continent.

He commended the Troika’s bold initiatives that prioritize climate finance as a cornerstone of global climate diplomacy and their commitment to advancing the 1.5°C agenda and ensuring the alignment of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

However, Charles Mwangi emphasized the need for concrete actions on the ground to match these initiatives. He stated that adaptation efforts should not languish due to a lack of resources and political will. He urged everyone to harness the power of solidarity and collective action to bridge the adaptation finance gap and build climate-resilient communities across Africa.

Ibrahim Bamba, the regional Manager francophone, thanked PACJA for driving conversations around climate finance and acknowledged the ongoing dialogue with PACJA, including most recently during the Africa Climate Summit, Nairobi- September 2023 and Africa Regional Dialogue, Windhoek- November 2023. He revealed that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is undertaking reforms to address the underserviced funds disbursements to developing countries. He said that GCF is committed to increasing investment in Africa, particularly in underserved countries, countries with fragile situations, and the LDC group.

The two-day side event aimed to produce strategic messaging for influencing the global goal on adaptation and the adaptation elements in the New Collective and Quantified Finance Goal in SB60 and COP29. The event also aimed to set a clear framework for multi-stakeholder efforts to secure accountability for climate finance and develop key messages that feed into the collective ARFSD-10 report to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and Summit of the Future.

OPENING REMARKS BY DR MITHIKA MWENDA