ECA Conducts Workshop on Climate Change

Addis Ababa, 12 November 2009 (ECA) - The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa is conducting a four-day training workshop for its professional staff on the impact of the climate change and the on-going negotiations for a post-Kyoto deal.  The workshop is part of ECA’s efforts to mainstream climate change in its entire work programme.

While opening the workshop on behalf of the director of ECA’s food security and sustainable development division, Mr. Josué Dioné; the chief of ECA’s environment and sustainable development section, Isatou Gaye, said it is important for all staff to beware of climate change issues because of the dangers it poses for Africa’s development. 

“It is for this reason that ECA, which is at the forefront of promoting the economic and social development of African countries, should be adequately prepared to support member states in addressing the climate change phenomenon,” she said.

The objective of the training is to deepen the knowledge of ECA staff on the link between climate change and overall economic development issues.  One of the trainers, Sanju Deenapanray, made the point by stating that climate change is no longer just a scientific issue but a key development issue.  He pointed to the accelerating increase in CO2 emissions and the urgency of reversing the process before it is too late.  “Africa has contributed least to green house gas emissions and is one of the most vulnerable continents to the impacts of climate change,” he said.

The course will cover the science of climate change; legal aspects of negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); strategies for adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts; and the overall development implications for Africa.

The trainers are staff members of the UNFCCC, United Nations Institute for Training and Research, United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Development Programme.  The training is an example of best practice of collaboration on climate change by all UN agencies.