Africa’s Environment Ministers call for the establishment of a legally binding protocol on drought management
African Environment Ministers meeting in Abidjan have called for the establishment of a legally binding protocol on drought management under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with a special focus on Africa. The call for action comes amid growing concerns over the detrimental impact of land degradation, drought, and desertification on the continent’s socio-economic stability, food security, and environmental sustainability.
The call came as Environment Ministers concluded the 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) with the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration on 6 September, which made the call for a drought management protocol and expressed deep concern over the environmental challenges Africa faces – particularly rising temperatures and land degradation – and stressed that inaction weakens social and ecosystems resilience across African countries.
Ethiopia’s State Minister of Planning and Development, Seyoum Mekonen Hailu, warns of the negative impacts of prolonged droughts, including livelihood loss, food and water insecurity, and conflicts.
Ministers highlighted the integral work of the Africa Groups of Negotiators as they engage in several upcoming international conferences and negotiations and noted that the special session provided a clear mandate and solidly endorsed the common African positions, as well as strengthened global and regional partnerships involving governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, local communities, and the private sector.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister, H.E. Robert Beugré Mambé, stressed the need for Africa to work together to tackle climate challenges for the survival of its economies and people.
Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, praised Africa’s vast renewable energy resources, fertile lands, and skilled farming communities as solutions for food security, innovation, and prosperity.
UNEP’s Executive Director urged African Ministers to unite to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste before COPs.
She suggested that African nations can contribute to COPs by promoting land restoration, managing biodiversity, and addressing pollution. They also suggest boosting public and private finance, reforming food systems, and addressing plastic pollution.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw emphasized the need for revising development policies to tackle the root causes of land degradation during a special session.
He emphasized the importance of managing land as a valuable asset, not just for the extraction of agricultural products, minerals, and water resources, and calls for a managerial approach with a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
The Abidjan Declaration underscored the need for innovative financing models to unlock USD 1.2 trillion for Sustainable Development Goals, despite global clean energy spending reaching only $2.6 billion in 2023.
The climate crisis is causing economic sinkholes in Africa, affecting growth and disproportionately affecting African nations. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell argues that global leaders should address the issue.
UNEP and the African Development Bank presented a teaser of the Africa Natural Capital Atlas at the 17th ordinary session, highlighting Africa’s rich natural resources and the urgent need for sustainable management.
Ministers have endorsed an Omnibus decision to advance Africa’s common positions at Conferences of the Parties and other meetings.
