20 Nov 2009: ISS Seminar: Copenhagen Talks on Climate Change and Africans Response

Copenhagen Talks on Climate Change and Africans Response, 20 November 2009

 

The Conflict Prevention Programme (CPP) of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Addis Ababa Office and the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) cordially invites you to a public seminar entitled Copenhagen Talks on Climate Change and the Africans Response. 

 

The problem of understanding climate change or global warming is one of the major problems confronting African people, the governments and the African Union (AU).  Moreover, it has been argued that climate change leads to acute conflicts and it becomes imperative for a proper understanding of the phenomenon of climate change in Africa.  Concern over the negative impact of climate change strengthened fears that environmental degradation and demographic pressures would displace millions of people in Africa and create social upheaval.  Most scientists studying the potential impact of climate change predicted that Africa is likely to experience higher temperature increases, rising sea levels that could affect much of its population, changing rainfall patterns and increased climate variability.  Climate change is already having substantial impacts on Africa.  Successfully adapting to these impacts is crucial to achieving Africa`s development objectives.   

 

Despite these facts, Africa`s concern and Africa`s agenda on environmental change in general and global warming in particular totally ignored by developed nations which are the main actors affecting the global environment.  Africa has tried to present its case and plea to the international communities and governments, as well as, non-governmental institutions on the dire present and future consequences of climate change on Africa. The African voice that was individually presented was not seriously considered.  Nevertheless, for the first time in history, Africa forged a common position, a single negotiating team empowered to negotiate and represent all the member states of the AU at ahead of global talks in Copenhagen in December 2009.  Failure to reach an equitable agreement in Copenhagen may have dire consequences for Africa.  Against this backdrop, is the newly formed Africa`s climate change regime adequate to address Africa`s key demand on climate change relating to adaption, mitigation, technology development and transfer, capacity building and financing? Is there a need for the AU to develop a vigorous and comprehensive climate change regime? Will it be possible for developed nations to provide Africa`s demands stated above? The aim of the seminar is therefore to interrogate these questions and in the process contribute to efforts aimed at improving the Africans` position on climate change. Presenters will be drawn from African governments, European Union, African Union and the research community.

 

The CPP strives to complement and support the work of the African Union particularly on issues of peace and security. The ISS Public Seminar series is a part of the CPP effort at consensus building by providing a platform for sharing information, encouraging policy debates and dialogue on Africa`s peace and security as well as development agenda. The aim is to stimulate quality discussion, in-depth and constructive interaction between participants.

 

You are invited to participate in this important discussion. Please forward this invitation to interested colleagues.

 

Enquiries: For queries, confirmations and regrets please contact: Dr. Debay Tadesse at [email protected] or (+251) 011-372-11-54; Fax (+251) 011-372-59-54

 

Time: 9:30 am – 13:00 pm

Venue: Harrar Grill conference room, Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

 

Please note that discussions occur under the Chatham House rules, which means no attribution without specific permission

 

Seminar documentation