Milestone Agreement Signed by ECA and UNCCD on Climate Change

Addis Ababa, 7 March 2008 (ECA) The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, (UNCCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing collaboration in implementing the Convention.

Sealed at a ceremony by the UN Under-Secretary-General and ECA’s Executive Secretary Mr. Abdoulie Janneh and Mr. Luc Gnacadja, UNCCD’s Executive Secretary, the MOU recognizes that Africa pollutes less but suffers the most from the consequences of climate change. The signing of this agreement will give impetus to implementing the Convention, which serves as a platform for adaptation to climate change, mitigation of its effects and the strengthening of the resilience of the affected countries.

Both institutions will implement the activities stipulated in the MOU within the context of their respective mandates. ECA promotes the economic and social development of its member States and promotes international cooperation for Africa’s development as well as a regional approach for achieving sustainable development. UNCCD is the only comprehensive treaty to address land issues, such as desertification and land degradation through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.

In this regard, both institutions will embark on a number of issues, including science, technology, knowledge management, capacity building, financing and technology transfer, advocacy, awareness raising and education. They will also work with African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in mainstreaming issues of land degradation, desertification and drought in national sustainable development strategies, poverty reduction strategy papers and other sectoral and crosssectoral policies and programmes.

The MOU will be implemented in the spirit of inter-agency coordination at the regional and sub-regional levels, including interactions with the African Union Commission and the African Development Bank.

For more information, contact ecainfo@uneca.org

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