African Union

IISD Reporting Services has provided coverage of selected GCC Pavilion events at the Marrakech Climate Change Conference, including written, digital and video coverage. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Research and Development for Climate SolutionsPresented by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) This side event, moderated by Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco, focused on the role of technology and innovation relevant to research on climate change. Noting that global carbon emissions are 16 times higher than they were in the year 1900, Mohamed Eddaoudi, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, discussed efforts in Saudi Arabia to increase the use of renewable energy via research and development at KAUST, including the Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center and the Clean Combustion Research Center. Eddaoudi drew attention to the development of a new generation of advanced adsorbents from a family of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), which are compounds consisting of metal ions or clusters joined to organic ligands from one-, two- or three-dimensional structures, constituting a cost-effective and energy-efficient way to capture CO2. Regarding MOFs, Eddaoudi addressed, inter alia: their design strategies; the MOF platform for CO2 capture and separation; and strategies for pore-size tuning. Ibrahim Hoteit, KAUST, presented a data-driven modeling system for studying and forecasting the climate of the Red Sea. Underscoring the utility of the Red Sea as a source of water, food and energy, he noted that it is one of the warmest and most saline ecosystems in the world. He described the modeling system as the largest effort to build an integrated data-driven high-resolution modeling and forecasting system for the Red Sea’s water circulation and climate, which will allow for the optimal exploitation and protection of its resources. Hoteit also underscored, among others: developing interactive information and visualization tools for efficient handling and exploitation of system outputs; and creating the foundation for understanding the large-scale variability of the Red Sea ecosystem, which will provide guidance for future research on large marine ecosystems. Focusing on emerging technologies with long-term impacts on climate change, Osman Bakr, KAUST, addressed high-performance, low-cost perovskite semiconductors for solar cells and optoelectronics. Bakr discussed challenges around the development of high-performance semiconductors, including that they: melt in very high temperatures; have to be treated in specialized facilities; and are costly. He then focused on the development of large, single-crystals of hybrid perovskites, via simple and inexpensive methods, whose purity and electrical properties are comparable to costly optoelectronic-grade silicon. Bakr discussed potential applications, including enhancing the sensitivity and response time of photodetectors, and improving the performance of solar cells. In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed, inter alia: a timeline for commercial applications; related costs of utilized materials and chemicals; desalination activities in the Red Sea; decreasing trends in winds; and the cost of technology for the perovskite semiconductors and their efficiency compared to solar cells. Panel (L-R) Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco; Mohamed Eddaoudi, KAUST; Ibrahim Hoteit, KAUST; and Osman Bakr, KAUST Osman Bakr, KAUST, presented on high-performance, inexpensively-fabricated perovskite semiconductors that can be applied across a wide range of industries. Ibrahim Hoteit, KAUST, discussed the potential impact of climate change on Red Sea biology via a data-driven modeling system. Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco, moderated the event, noting the role of technology and innovation to combat climate change. Mohamed Eddaoudi, KAUST, addressed the development of a new generation of advanced adsorbents from a family of MOFs as an inexpensive, energy-efficient way to capture CO2. Contacts: Sara Al-Nuaimi | saraalnuaimi325@gmail.com More Information: https://www.kaust.edu.sa

IISD Reporting Services is providing coverage of selected IDRC events at COP 22, including written, digital and video coverage. Photos by IISD/ENB For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Valorization of Hydrological and Environmental Services for Integrated Water Resource Management and Adaptation to Climate Change Organized by the Moroccan Association of Regional Sciences, the Moroccan Collective for Climate and Sustainability of Ribat Al Fath, and International Development Research Center (IDRC) This event was moderated by Bennis Abdelhadi, Ribat Al Fath Association. Heidi Brown, IDRC, Canada, focused discussions around how to: predict climate change impacts on water resources; improve water management to allow climate change adaptation; and develop solutions, tools and approaches to facilitate water resource management in a changing climate with rapid urbanization. Fatima Driouech, National Climate Center, Morocco, highlighted, among others: water-cycle modifications and extreme events during the period 1950-2010; projections on annual mean near-surface soil moisture change; projections for annual average temperatures under different climatic scenarios; and stress on water resources and agricultural productivity related to climate change. Abdoulaye Diarra, International Institute of Engineering, Water and Environment, Burkina Faso, presented on the stabilization of rainwater for agriculture in the Sahara Desert. He explained the use of complementary irrigation by small-scale crop farmers during periods of drought, and recommended: making readily accessible the characteristics of soils and data transmission channels to agriculture producers; and enhancing added value of low-cost local materials. Moderator Bennis Abdelhadi, Ribat Al Fath Association A participant asks a question to the panel Panelists discussed integrated water resource management and adaptation to climate change Participants during the discussion A view of the room during the event Contact: Abdellatif Khattabi | Khattabi@amsr.ma More Information: www.gire-pse.com Accelerating Implementation of the Paris Agreement through Transitioning to Evidence-Based Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Development Pathway Presented by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) At this side event, moderated by George Wamukoya, Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) and Edith Ofwona Adera, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), panelists shared experiences of African countries’ efforts to transition to low carbon and climate resilient development pathways. Ofwona Adera provided an overview of IDRC work to support climate resilience, saying that much of the IDRC grantees’ work informs national climate adaptation policy and planning. Eliza Northrop, World Resources Institute (WRI), said that with the entry into force of the Paris Agreement, there is now an obligation to pursue domestic measures to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). She underscored the “enormous” opportunity to align the climate and sustainable development agendas with each other to create synergies and mutual benefit, stating these include increased opportunity for accessing financial support. On how NDCs can help achieve growth, Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew, Ethiopia, noted that the Government of Ethiopia has set a target to become a middle-income country by 2025, through building a climate resilient, green economy. Pacifica Achieng Ogola, Kenya, outlined Kenya’s climate change act, saying that the act’s purpose is to build and enhance climate resilience and engage with a wide variety of stakeholders at this level. Raymond Kasei, AGNES, underscored the imperative of education and science for addressing climate change, noting the development of warning systems in Ghana as a result. Joanes Atela, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), highlighted the opportunity technology provides. He called for increased investment for research and development and underlined the importance of evidence-based research. During discussions, participants addressed capacity building; the interfaces between think tanks and governments; integrating gender into NDCs; financing for NDCs; translating climate “jargon” for local communities to understand; the African Union Agenda 2063; and integrating indigenous knowledge systems to enhance adaptive capacity. In closing, Wamukoya urged strengthening Africa’s institutions and think tanks. Ofwona Adera suggested more work should be done to link researchers at continental, regional and local level to inform NDCs and other policy processes. (L-R) Pacifica Achieng Ogola, Kenya; Raymond Kasei, AGNES; Eliza Northrop, WRI; Joanes Atela, ACTS; and Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew, Prime Minister’s Office, Ethiopia Edith Ofwona Adera, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Eliza Northrop, WRI, said that NDCs will be the basis for climate action going forward Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew, Ethiopia, said that national plans need to be adjusted in light of the obligation to submit NDCs Pacifica Achieng Ogola, Kenya, noted that Kenya’s climate change act informs their activities in this regard, including NDCs Joanes Atela, outlined efforts by ACTS to improve capacity to access funds from the Green Climate Fund. Participants during the event Contact: George Wamukoya, Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) | wamukoyageorge@gmail.com Edith Ofwona Adera, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) | eadera@idrc.or.ke More Information: https://www.idrc.ca/en/events/towards-lasting-action-climate-change-idrc-cop22

The following side events were covered by ENBOTS on Friday, 21 October 2016: Bridging Global Policy Agreements and Country Achievements of the SDGs: The Key Role of Regions for Achieving and Reviewing Progress on Food Security and Nutrition Ending Hunger: What Would It Cost? IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided web coverage of CFS 43 and selected side-events. The summary report of CFS 43 is available in HTML and PDF. Bridging Global Policy Agreements and Country Achievements of the SDGs: The Key Role of Regions for Achieving and Reviewing Progress on Food Security and Nutrition Organized by FAO, WHO, Argentina, Bangladesh, Egypt, African Union. This side event, moderated by Rob Vos, FAO, focused on how different governments and regional bodies prioritize food security and nutrition policy in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Vos said that progress had been made and the number of people facing malnourishment has fallen, but based on current trends it will be a challenge to meet the 2030 Agenda goals. He added that regional frameworks and experiences can contribute to policy and actions to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. Mazella Wüstefeld, WHO, presented on the multiple burden of malnutrition – undernutrition, obesity and non-communicable diseases (NDCs) – and monitoring progress of 2030 Agenda goals. Malnutrition, she said, is the number one risk factor in the global burden of diseases, and to improve nutrition, food systems need to be improved. Good nutrition, she added, is a core element of the SDGs, particularly SDG2, and policy coherence and action at scale in a concrete time frame are needed. In addition to the targets set out in Agenda 2030, she also highlighted WHO’s 2025 six global nutrition targets: 40% reduction in the number of children under five who are stunted; 50% reduction of anemia in women of reproductive age; 30% reduction in low birth weight; no increase in childhood overweight; increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months up to at least 50%; and reduce and maintain childhood wasting to less than 5%. Haladou Salha, African Union-NEPAD, highlighted Africa’s Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for the socioeconomic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years. He said that Africa 2063 complements the 2030 Agenda, with 90% of the SDGs already enshrined in the African vision. He added that the 2014 Malabo Declaration of African Heads of State has further inspired the continent’s efforts to improve food productivity and eradicate hunger and malnutrition. Salha announced the establishment of a NEPAD-housed knowledge hub to help countries share their experiences on food security. Khaled El Taweel, Alternate Permanent Representative of Egypt to FAO, presented on Egypt Vision 2030, the country’s new national sustainable development strategy. He noted that the plan was adopted prior to the 2030 Agenda, but that many of the goals are aligned. El Taweel highlighted a school meals programme and a plan to reclaim agriculture land to increase productivity, both aimed at tackling malnutrition and food security. Claudio Rozencwaig, Permanent Representative of Argentina to FAO, noted that regional plans, including the 2005 Zero Hunger initiative, the 2015 CELAC Plan for Food Security, Nutrition and Hunger Eradication and others, have contribute to reducing malnutrition throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. He stressed that regional agreements have been critical in achieving results, noting a regional decline in malnutrition from 59 million in the 1990s to 47 million in 2013. Political commitment, he added, has been an important part of the success. Abus Sobhan Sikder, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to FAO, presented on his country’s development goals, highlighting Vision 2021, which aims at transforming Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021. He said that Bangladesh had reached the MDG of halving the proportion of living below the poverty line – from 57% in 1991 to 24% in 2015 – thanks to the enactment of a comprehensive National Food Policy framework. He stressed that improving food security and inclusive development are at the top of the political agenda, and that more work needs to be done to balance diets and improve food storage and distribution capacity.   Mazella Wüstefeld, WHO ©FAO ©FAO   Abus Sobhan Sikder, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to FAO ©FAO Haladou Salha, African Union-NEPAD ©FAO Contacts: Areej Jafar, FAO, areej.jafari@fao.com More Information: http://www.fao.org   Ending Hunger: What Would It Cost? Organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This side event, moderated by Carin Smaller, IISD, focused on smarter, well-targeted, bottom-up interventions to solve the hunger problem. She said ending hunger is achievable and affordable, noting five categories where targeted spending needs to take place: social safety nets, farm support, rural development, enabling policies and nutrition. The model, she noted, did not cost nutrition interventions because the household dataset used had limited coverage on micronutrient availability. David Laborde, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), presented on an IISD-IFPRI multi-country macroeconomic model study that analyzes information obtained from household surveys, and matches them with donor priorities to build a case for establishing feasible targets for donors; the surveys were conducted in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. Laborde said to end hunger – defined as 95% of a population able to consume 1,750 calories a day –would cost on average US$11 billion per year of public spending from now until 2030, with US$4 billion of that coming from donors. He added that to reach the target, direct interventions are needed, including food stamps for households, capital investment and technology for farmers, and rural infrastructure development and education; noting that interventions should deliver the bulk of the pay-off by 2030. Njama Nango Dembélé, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Mali, noted that his government has earmarked 15% of the national budget for the next few years to the agriculture sector, which contributes not only to job creation, but also sustainable development and food security. He added that his ministry has departments dedicated to providing safety nets to the most vulnerable populations. He said that, although progress has been made in his country in achieving food security, more needs to be done, especially in urban areas. Laura Frigenti, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, stressed that to maximize efficiency in public spending to achieve better results it is important to prioritize areas, especially as there may not be enough money to fund all the SDGs. This, she said, helps donors better target limited resources. She added that it is also important to make sure there are systems in place to ensure that funding goes to the beneficiaries, and that there are mechanisms in place to evaluate the investments during the process, not just at the end. Neil Watkins, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said the model, which uses household data, is innovative and can help with targeting, particularly as it focuses on just one aspect of SDG 2 – caloric hunger. While it is important to segment the issue for a more in-depth analysis, he noted that a comprehensive approach is also needed. He added that even if the amount proposed is ambitious, political will is needed to reach those funding levels. In discussions, participants considered, inter alia, the need for better targeting, the lack of focus on nutrition and sustainable development, the distinction between technical feasibility and political will, and concerns over the aim to reduce hunger to a 5% threshold and not ending it completely.   ©FAO Carin Smaller, IISD ©FAO David Laborde, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ©FAO Njama Nango Dembélé, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Mali ©FAO Neil Watkins, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ©FAO Laura Frigenti, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation ©FAO   Contacts: Livia Bizikova, IISD, lbizikova@iisd.org Ammad Bahalim, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ammad.bahalim@gatesfoundation.org More Information: http://www.iisd.org http://www.gatesfoundation.org http://www.ifpri.org  

The following side events were covered by ENBOTS on Thursday, 20 October 2016: Carpe Diem! Addressing the Nexus – Water, Energy, Food & Ecosystems – For #zerohunger in Africa The Challenges of Monitoring Hunger and Food Insecurity in the Context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided web coverage of CFS 43 and selected side-events. The summary report of CFS 43 is available in HTML and PDF. Carpe Diem! Addressing the Nexus – Water, Energy, Food & Ecosystems – For #zerohunger in Africa Organized by the African Union, Global Water Partnership (GWP), International Water Management Institute. This side event, chaired by Ambassador Godfrey Magwenzi, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to FAO, illustrated how work done at the global level by CFS on the water, energy and food nexus to address food security and nutrition challenges can be applied at the country or local level through a partnership approach. Magwenzi noted that poor rainfall, degraded ecosystems and poor water management were challenges facing Zimbabwe, as well as many countries in Africa, but that they were being addressed through a multistakeholder approach that included the ministries of water and agriculture, civil society and NGOs. He added that the process identified several priorities, such as the need to raise more awareness on water conservation and develop long-term water policies. Laila Lokosang, African Union (AU), highlighted the work of the AU’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, which includes a focus on increasing food supply, reducing hunger, and improving responses to food emergency crises. He stressed the interconnectedness of water, energy, food and ecosystem issues and that they should addressed together to ensure food security in Africa. Abel Afouda, Global Water Partnership, stressed the need for a more integrated approach between water and food security, highlighting a multistakeholder initiative that has identified water and food security priorities in nine African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda). He said the aim is to support governments in addressing the challenge of managing water and food security in an integrated holistic manner, and to contribute towards SDG2 to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Tim Williams, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), said there is a good understanding today of the water, food and security nexus, but it is also important to include the ecosystem element. When addressing the nine-country initiative, he said stakeholders need to look at irrigation as an ecosystem activity as it has environmental and food security consequences. He also said that practical policies need to integrate ecosystems management into water resource management. Olcar Unver, FAO, introduced the FAO’s approach to the water-energy-food nexus, which provides a framework to address food security and sustainable agriculture. He said the nexus approach can help identify and manage trade-offs and to build synergies, allowing for more integrated and cost-effective planning, decision-making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. He announced a new FAO initiative, Coping with Water Scarcity in Agriculture, which will be launched at the UN climate change meeting in Morocco, with the aim of bringing together knowledge and investment partners to address food security within the framework of water scarcity.  In discussions, participants considered, inter alia, the buy-in of smallholder famers, the effects of urbanization on water use, competing water demands and climate change, and the use of waste water as a resource.   Contacts: Manuel Fulchiron, GWP, manuel.fulchiron@gwp.org Laila Lokosang, African Union, lokosang@africa-untion.org Amare Haileslassie, IWMI, a.haileslassie@cgiar.org More Information: http://www.gwp.org http://www.au.int http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org   The Challenges of Monitoring Hunger and Food Insecurity in the Context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda Organized by Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (AICS), EU Delegation to the UN Organizations in Rome, UK Department for International Development (DFID), FAO. This side event, moderated by Anne Kepple, FAO, provided an opportunity for policy-makers to discuss the challenges and opportunities for strengthening policy-making in the area of food security and nutrition at national and international levels, and within the context of the SDGs. Pietro Gennari, FAO, provided an overview of FAO’s approach to help countries step up capacity to monitor SDGs, especially with regards to food security and nutrition. With 169 targets and 230 global indicators – five targets alone for SDG2 – he said monitoring indicators are a demanding task for many countries that lack statistical capacity. He stressed, therefore, the need for new, timely, reliable and granular data to be collected through a more holistic approach. He added that the responsibility for generating data to inform the global indicators rests with national institutions, but there are global tools, such as FAO’s Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), which has the potential to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of food insecurity and to inform more effective policies and interventions.   Jean-Pierre Halkin, European Commission Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), stressed the importance of development assistance in tackling food security and sustainable agriculture, and support for the SDGs, especially SDG2, which calls on stakeholders to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. He noted the importance of making sure countries adopt SDG targets and the right policies to reach these targets. Access to data, he said, would help track progress, and having the right evidence would help countries meet their targets. Martino Melli, AICS, said good statistical systems are key for effective economic and social development and are an essential tool to meet the challenge of achieving the SDGs. He added that data and statistics deserve increased attention in the development context, adding that they are recognized in SDG17. Melli called for a data revolution and identified four strategic priorities to produce, analyze and use effective statistical data: civil registration and vital statistics systems; partnerships for development; optimal use of financial, human and technological resources; and new technologies and innovative methods of collecting and analyzing data. Nina Hissen and Vincent Gainey, DFID, presented on the future of the FIES and how it can be embedded in national institutions. They said the FIES -- consisting of eight short questions that focuses on self-reported, food-related behaviors and experiences associated with increasing difficulties in accessing food due to resource constraints – is an important tool for national institutions to use and translate the statistical information into policy actions to improve food security. They added that it is important to help countries build national statistical capacity while ensuring quality, consistency and maintaining global coherence. National ownership of the process is key, they said, with a strong role for an international body, like the FAO, to oversee national data collection. In discussions, participants considered, inter alia: the importance of engaging civil society and youth in data collection; broadening the scope of the system to possibly include a nutritional dimension; using social media to collect responses for the FIES survey; and applying the FIES to both developed and developing countries.   L.:-R.: Carlo Cafiero, FAO; Anne Kepple, FAO; Nina Hissen, Department for International Development (DFID), UK ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti Pietro Gennari, FAO ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti Martino Melli, Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (AICS) ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti Contacts: Aymeric Songy, FAO, amyeric.songy@fao.org More Information: http://www.fao.org https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-development http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/general_en http://www.agenziacooperazione.gov.it