Africa Pavilion at COP 21

The Africa Pavilion will take place from 30 November to 11 December 2015, during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place in Paris, France. It is being convened by the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme, an initiative of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Preceded by the 5th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-V) that took place in October, the Africa Pavilion will continue to engage with the implications of climate change on the continent’s development, explore challenges and opportunities, share research on innovation and adaptation and serve as a hub for African networking during COP 21.

Key messages emerging from CCDA-V that will be the focus of events during the Africa Pavilion in Paris include the need to: recognize the importance of adaptation while not overlooking mitigation opportunities in forestry, transport and agriculture; articulate more ambitious goals than those expressed in the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) submitted under the UNFCCC; further develop homegrown climate information and policy frameworks; break the disconnect between science and policy; and strengthen governance and domestic resource mobilization to scale up proven green development strategies and innovations.

The objectives of the Africa Pavilion at COP 21 are to: create a forum for discourse on Africa-relevant climate change issues in the context of the continent’s sustainable development; provide a platform for examining linkages between available information and knowledge, technical services, and policy for climate change in Africa; create opportunities for knowledge sharing; explore the implications of climate change for inclusive growth; identify opportunities for Africa from climate change; and promote quality scientific research and evidence-based policy. The Pavilion will host high level debates, panel discussions, exhibitions, formal and informal meetings, side events and additional meetings and exchanges with partners from governments, regional economic blocs, multilateral and bilateral partners, the private sector and civil society.