GCA supports more resilient agriculture in Africa
The Global Center on Adaptation formalized its partnership with the African Agriculture Adaptation Initiative (AAA) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The signing, that took place on 16 March, supports the African initiative to enhance food security and increase the incomes of smallholder farmers in Africa.
Acceleration of climate adaptation
Specific attention will be given to project identification and implementation, experience sharing, and capacity development in accessing technology, knowledge and climate finance. Both organisations will also work together to mobilise support for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) and promote the voice of African organisations in resilience and adaptation discourse.
The African continent suffers heavily from climate change with more extreme flooding and periods of droughts. The natural disasters compromise Africa’s economic growth and fuel societal tensions.
The support by Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) to the African Agriculture Adaptation Initiative (AAA) follows the Climate Adaptation Summit in January that called for an acceleration of climate adaptation in Africa by scaling up implementation programmes and more collaboration.
More climate financing
At the summit, the African Development Bank (AfdB) announced the mobilisation of 25 billion US dollar as climate finance between 2020 and 2025, of which at least 50 percent will support climate adaptation and resilience building. AfdB and GCA committed to leverage an additional 12.5 billion US dollar through other key partners.
Two large scale programmes highlighted at the conference were the construction of large solar parks and the development of a green corridor through 11 African countries across the entire width of Africa.
No choice but to adapt
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 the African Adaptation Initiative 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.'
About AAA
The African Agriculture Adaptation 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 channeling financial flows to the most vulnerable farmers.
About GCA
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organisation hosted by the Netherlands that works as a solutions broker for climate change adaptation solutions.
The center has several regional offices, of which one is based in Ivory Coast, Africa. The regional center is hosted by the African Development Bank and professor Anthony Nyong at the Nigerian university of Jos, has recently been appointed as regional director.
