Seychelles hosts first Africa Island States Climate Commission technical and expert group meeting |12 May 2023
The Africa Island States Climate Commission (AISCC), technical and expert group meeting enters its third and final day today at the Savoy Hotel and Spa.
Seychelles is hosting the first meeting as chair of the commission, which comprises eight other member states namely Cabo Verde, Comoros, Equatorial New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
AISCC aims to assemble African Island States to work together towards a shared, long-term vision to effectively take ownership of its available resources, namely its ocean spaces, by inspiring leadership and facilitating collaboration in mobilising financial resources and technical expertise at national, regional and international levels, to combat the climate crisis.
The expert group meeting is being held under the theme ‘A holistic approach for African Island States in aligning ambition and action to address climate change in the context of sustainable development’.
The opening of the three-day meeting was held on Wednesday with an official remark by the chair of AISCC, President Wavel Ramkalawan, who through a pre-recorded message stated that it was a unique opportunity for all AISCC members to interact with each other and their key international partners and come up with concrete actions to be taken to make the climate commission finally operational.
It is being held ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) in Dubai in November.
“The latest IPCC Sixth Assessment Report underscores the urgency of taking more ambitious climate action, and we, the African Island nations, must maintain momentum of climate action to achieve the 1.5-Degree target that was agreed in the Paris Agreement in 2015,” said President Ramkalawan, adding it was vital now, more than ever, “for the commission to provide support to member countries in addressing their climate ambitions, and act as a joint mechanism that allows countries to come together and address climate at the sub-regional level”.
The head of state also hailed the continued leadership of the African Union in driving forward an agenda that recognises the contribution of all member states.
He said the commission was essential to the advancement of the AU’s climate change and resilient development strategy.
“It should provide member countries with tools and instruments that will comprehensively address climate resilience and vulnerability, and contribute to sustainable development. In Seychelles we believe that this opportunity, and the political will in my government can be the beginning of a process that will yield many benefits to the member countries,” said President Ramkalawan.
He said the progress made in the establishment of the climate commission was discussed earlier this year at the 36thAfrican Union Summit and delegates were now expected to address the operation of the commission itself and its resource needs.
President Ramkalawan said after the AISCC meeting, they would like to convene a Ministerial level debriefing and a conference for the ministers in charge of climate and environment to agree on the outcomes of the Joint Technical Working Group outcome at COP28.
“The success of this commission would mean success of us all, and it would also mean a win for climate action. Let us join together and make our island states a shining example of the way African countries can work together and achieve success,” he concluded.
On the last day of the meeting today, the delegates will take part in a guided tour to various key spots on the main island Mahé, such as to the PUC power plant, La Gogue Dam and Beau Vallon Adaptation work, to see Seychelles’ efforts in combatting the impact of climate change.
Other than the AISCC, the other two commissions are the Climate Commission for the Sahel Region and the Congo Basin Climate Commission. They were set up on the sidelines of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP22) held in Marrakech in November 2016.
The Commissions are recognised by the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032).