CCDA-III conference opens in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21 October 2013 (ECA) - The Third Annual Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-III) opened here this morning under the theme " Africa on the rise: Can the opportunities from climate change spring the continent to transformative development?”

Organized under the auspices of the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme , it brings together more than 500 participants drawn from among policymakers, academia, scientists,  researchers, civil society groups, the media and farmers.

The Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA) is an annual event by the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme. This is a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

It seeks to address the need for improved climate data and information for Africa as well as to strengthen the use of such information for decision-making by supporting analytical capacity, knowledge generation and sharing.

The two previous conferences, CCDA-I and CCDA-II, had the theme of development first and advancing knowledge, policy and practice on climate change and development respectively.

They each created forums for dialogue that raised awareness of the climate change phenomenon, its impacts on development, and the nexus between science, policy and practice.

The theme for CCDA-III is: ‘Africa on the Rise: Can the Opportunities from Climate Change Spring the Continent to Transformative Development?’ The theme captures the urgency of the need to mainstream climate change in development policy planning, programming and implementation. The imperative is clear. Climate change is a threat and an opportunity.

CCDA III intend to demonstrate empirical lessons from best practice in investments in climate science, data and analysis, as well as the multiplier benefits to African economies.

It will deliberate on the effectiveness of policies on climate resilience in Africa and the role and relevance of international, regional and national frameworks and contexts.

This is also an opportunity to debate Africa’s transition to a green economy, especially clean energy access, low carbon development options, and climate finance.

Of critical importance at CCDA III is the review of the relevance of the global climate change framework for Africa; how Africa needs to assert its development interests and influence in the global agenda, and whether an alternative space exists for Africa to pursue its development goals.