Addis Ababa declaration signed by 54 nations; acknowledge green challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought
Environment ministers of the African continent have agreed to institute national and regional strategies to minimise environmental impacts in the extraction and processing of critical mineral resources. The continent is facing several challenges as countries, especially China, rush to Africa for its mineral resources.
Fifty-four countries acknowledged key environmental challenges faced by the continent — land degradation, desertification and drought – in the Addis Ababa declaration, August 18, 2023. The declaration was a key outcome of the 19th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) 2023 held from August 14 to 18, 2023 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The theme for AMCEN 2023 was “Seizing Opportunities and Enhancing Collaboration to Address Environmental Challenges in Africa”. There were several constructive dialogues and discussions on formulating strategies to jointly address the challenges and seize emerging opportunities, stated the United Nations Environment Programme.
The declaration prioritises urgent, wide-ranging action on environmental challenges related to climate change, plastics pollution, marine protection, biodiversity conservation and natural capital. These actions would minimise environmental impacts and contribute to the global goals of mitigating climate change, protecting ecosystems and promoting sustainable development.
The countries also committed to take appropriate measures to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through updating or revising national biodiversity strategies and action plans or national targets.
They will work towards closing the biodiversity finance gap of $700 billion per year. They have also jointly committed to work on increasing the flow of international finances. The ministers have also resolved to work together and ensure that international financial flows to developing countries are increased to at least $20 billion per year by 2025.
The ultimate aim is to increase the global finance flow to at least $100 billion per year, stated the declaration. The countries have also agreed to work on a priority to implement Africa Blue Economy Strategy of the African Union.
The very first Africa UN Science-Policy-Business Forum launched by UNEP Deputy Executive Director Elizabeth Mrema on August 17, 2023 has been another significant outcome of the five-day meeting amongst the ministers.
“The top priority for Africa is to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic transformation that delivers tangible impacts on job creation and poverty eradication while addressing the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” said Antonio Pedro, acting executive secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa, at the ministerial meeting.
The ministers discussed a range of issues related to preparation and engagement of African nations at the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly, third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution and the 16th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
President-Designate Sultan for the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Sultan Al Jaber too shared his vision and priorities for the upcoming COP, especially the need for adaptation financing and acceleration of the energy transition with focus on Africa.
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The 19th session African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was held at Addis Ababa from August 14-18, 2023. Photo: @mfaethiopia / X, previously known as Twitter.png)
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