GCA signs Memorandum of Understanding with African Adaptation Initiative
T
he African Adaptation Initiative and GCA consolidated their partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to support African leadership to accelerate climate change adaptation across the continent.
GCA, through its regional office in Abidjan, will act as the lead coordination partner to implement the vision and roadmap of the African Adaptation Initiative. This includes supporting the African Union nominated AAI champion, Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon, to promote African leadership in adaptation action internationally at regional, the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, and global events and through the publication of a State and Trends in Adaptation in Africa report to be released ahead of COP 26 in Glasgow in November 2021.
African Heads of State launched the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP) in December 2015 in Paris to ensure the Continent urgently adapts to the adverse effects of climate change in the immediate, short, medium and longer terms. The devastating effects of climate change, which include severe droughts, floods, reduced agricultural yields, sea level rise and other climate related disasters are already negatively impacting the continent’s development. By 2050, based on the current trends in global emissions, Africa’s adaptation costs could reach USD$100 billion annually.
Commenting on the signing His Excellency President Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic and African Union nominated champion of the African Adaptation Initiative said:
“The devastating effects of climate change are on the rise, especially on the African continent. Africa has no choice but to adapt and chart a climate resilient future. I’m extremely pleased to see the strong collaboration emerging between AAI and GCA.”
Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation said:
“Africa is on the frontline of our climate emergency. It needs to adapt now and adapt fast but that adaptation also needs to be sensitive to local context and needs. That’s why the singing of today’s Memorandum of Understanding is so important – to put African leadership at the forefront of the continent’s efforts to adapt, facilitated by international support from GCA’s role as a solution broker.”
