Africa, although it is the most vulnerable to climate change, which requires adaptation efforts and financing, is also a continent of solutions, according to participants at a side-event organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment on Sunday in Dubai, as part of COP28.
“Africa needs adaptation and financing, but it can also be a continent of solutions”, stressed several speakers at the meeting, held at Morocco Pavilion under the theme “Tracking Africa’s Climate Action Journey: Successes and Opportunities”.
Participants at this event, co-organized with the Moroccan employers’ confederation, CGEM, and UNIDO, discussed the situation in Africa since the Paris Climate Agreement, while taking a forward-looking, solutions-oriented approach to the global situation.
Regarding climate action, it is essential to “highlight actions on the African continent, and to build on the positive momentum of success and opportunities in this respect”, said Ayman Cherkaoui, director of the HASSAN II International Center for Environmental Education, who moderated the event.
The meeting, which featured several high-profile officials including Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, COP28 High-Level Climate Champion, Razan Al Mubarak (UAE), and CGEM chairman Chakib El Alj, showcased innovative, meaningful, and impactful climate solutions led by local authorities, the private sector and civil society to build more resilient communities for the good of Africa and the world.
In her address, Razan Al Mubarak, COP28 High-Level Climate Champion, underlined that Morocco is leading the way for countries in the Middle East and Africa region in climate action, thanks to its leadership and pioneering commitment in the fight against climate change.
“The countries of our region and Africa should be incredibly proud of Morocco’s inspiring vision, and take advantage of it as a way forward,” she said.
Al Mubarak stressed that speaking at an event organized by Morocco has, for her, “many positive connotations”, recalling the role of the Climate Change High-Level Champion, which was made operational in Marrakech at COP22 in 2016.
“There can be no transition, whether in the field of energy or food, without non-state actors”, she emphasized, at this meeting.
She underlined: “We also recognize, from a regional perspective, how much we welcome and appreciate the work of the Moroccan government and people, who have truly embraced the climate action agenda, not by talking, but by leading the way.”
Morocco is one of the few countries that, according to climate data, was already compliant with the Goal of limiting temperature to 1.5 degrees C°, when it submitted its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2016, added the Emirati High-Level Climate Champion, who was speaking alongside Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali.
By holding this event, the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, chaired by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, is pursuing a vision of positive commitment to climate action, not only in Morocco, but also in Africa, the same vision that has been fostered by King Mohammed VI.