GCA signs Memorandum of Understanding with Adaptation of African Agriculture Initiative
T
o strengthen support for African initiatives building resilience to the impacts of climate change, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) today formalized its partnership with the Adaptation of African Agriculture Initiative (AAA) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
GCA and AAA will collaborate through GCA’s Rural Wellbeing and Food Security Program and its Digital Climate Advisory Services for Food Initiative to enhance food security and increase the incomes of smallholder farmers in Africa. Specific attention will be given to project identification and implementation, experience sharing, and capacity development in accessing technology, knowledge and climate finance. They will also work together to mobilize support for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) and promote the voice of African organizations in resilience and adaptation discourse.
The Adaptation of African Agriculture Initiative (AAA) was launched during the COP22 held in Marrakesh in November 2016 with the support of 38 African countries. The main objectives of the AAA are to contribute to food security in Africa, to improve the living conditions of vulnerable farmers and to foster employment in rural areas by promoting adaptation practices to climate change, building the capacity of actors and channelling financial flows to the most vulnerable farmers.
Building on the vision of the Adaptation of African Agriculture, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) are also joining forces to use their complementary expertise, resources and networks to develop and implement the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). The AAAP aims to significantly increase the momentum and impact of adaptation projects in Africa through innovation in the design of large-scale proof of concept interventions. The AfDB has committed to mobilize USD $25 billion as climate finance between 2020 and 2025, of which at least 50% will support climate adaptation and resilience building. AfdB and GCA will use this to leverage an additional USD 12.5 billion through other key partners.
