Climate-L.org » UNECA

ECOSOC’s High-level Segment Concludes

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:42:36 +0000

2 July 2010: Beginning on 28 June, the high-level segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) concluded on 2 July 2010, in New York, US.

The segment included a dialogue with UN Regional Commissions, which was moderated by Ján Kubiš, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In his presentations, Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)underscored that African Governments had paid little attention to the interface between gender and climate change in their policy design and implementation. He called for, inter alia, rigorous accountability on gender concerns through the collection of sex-disaggregated data, and the promotion of research on the impact of climate change on all sectors, with an emphasis on food security.

During the annual ministerial review, several speakers emphasized that women disproportionately felt the negative impacts of the global food, climate and finance crises. The week’s events also included the two-day Development Cooperation Forum, which was structured around a series of round-table discussions and policy dialogues. [ECOSOC Press Release, 1 July 2010] [ECOSOC Press Release, 2 July 2010] [Climate-L.org Story on the ECOSOC Development Cooperation Forum]

Second Science with Africa Conference Focuses on Innovation for Development

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:04:33 +0000

28 June 2010: The Second Science with Africa Conference has ended with the adoption of recommendations on how African countries can leverage science and technology to carry forward their development agenda.

The Conference, which was organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union Commission (AUC), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and other partners under the theme “Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” convened from 23-25 June 2010, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The aim of the Conference was to explore policies, measures and mechanisms for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship to meet development challenges in Africa.

One of the outcomes from the Conference was the request to the Network of African Science Academies to prepare a report on Science and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Africa by mid-July 2010. The report is intended to assist African leaders in preparing their positions during the upcoming 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 16) to be held in Mexico at the end of 2010. Participants also stressed the need to: promote the development of a critical mass of science journalists in Africa, to help raise the understanding of the nexus between science and development in the public; and invest in educating women and youth in science and technology.

Furthermore, the Conference launched the African Science, Technology and Innovation Endowment Fund (ASTIF), which is aimed at supporting individuals, as well as research and development centers, in bringing their research outputs to the market, thereby bridging the gap between researchers and the private sector. It also launched the first-ever African Technology Development and Transfer Network, which is aimed at generating economic and social value from research and development outputs, by facilitating technology adaptation and the commercialization of outputs. [UNECA Press Release] [Conference Website]

African Economic Outlook 2010 Released

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:41:25 +0000

17 June 2010: The “African Economic Outlook 2010,” a joint publication of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Centre, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), has been released.

The report indicates that Africa’s economies have been weakened by the global recession while being under pressure to make additional efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The 2010 report explores how public resources can be better mobilized for development through more effective, efficient and fairer taxation. It also includes an analysis of practices that erode the existing tax base, such as the excessive granting of tax preferences, insufficient taxation of extractive industries and an inability to fight abuses of transfer pricing by multinational enterprises. In relation to climate change, the report highlights that meeting the cost of climate change adaptation and mitigation requires substantial financial resources that are beyond Africa’s financial ability. [The Report]

UN Regional Commissions Publish Report on Financing Climate Change Mitigation

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:44:08 +0000

June 2010: The five UN regional commissions have released a report titled “Financing Global Climate Change Mitigation.”

The report reviews the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy for climate change mitigation, including: current and projected financial flows for carbon mitigation; selected mechanisms and sources of financing such as microfinance, guarantees, debt facilities and private equity funds; and criteria for creating effective financing mechanisms. The report also provides an overview of the energy situation for each of the regions, including the legislative and regulatory framework. [The Report]

UNECE Organizes Energy and Climate Meetings

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:49:24 +0000

11 June 2010: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has hosted a series of energy and climate meetings at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The first meeting of the Group of Experts of the Global Energy Efficiency 21 (GEE21) Project convened on 10 June 2010. It was preceded by the 15th Session of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation, on 9 June 2010, and followed by the 21th Session of the Steering Committee of the GEE21 Project, on 11 June.
At the first meeting of the Group of Experts of the GEE21 Project, representatives from the five UN regional commissions adopted the programme of work of the Group and mapped out future activities, including the development of regional concepts on energy efficiency and elements for a Global Strategy for Energy Efficiency Market Formation to Mitigate Climate Change. The strategy is expected to reflect the experiences and lessons learned in financing investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, through the work of the UN Regional Commissions, the financial community and other energy sector stakeholders.
The 15th Session of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation reviewed: progress in the implementation of the project “Financing Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation” (FEEI); the outcome of the Regional Analysis of Policy Reforms to Promote Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Investments, in particular recommendations to overcome barriers to energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in countries participating in the project; and preparations for a Workshop on Investments in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects to be organized jointly by the UNECE and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in the framework of the FEEI and GEE21 projects.
The 21st Session of the Steering Committee of the GEE21 Project discussed: the development of the renewable energy sector in the Russian Federation and in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): prospects for inter-regional cooperation; increasing energy efficiency for secure energy supplies; the Regional Network for Efficient Use of Energy and Water Resources in South- Eastern Europe; energy efficiency market formation in South-Eastern Europe; removing barriers to energy efficiency improvements in the state sector in Belarus; green procurement for smart purchasing; the Action Plan for Energy Efficient Housing in the UNECE Region; modern and sustainable heat and power from woody biomass in South- Eastern Europe; and Best Practice Guidance on Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines. [UNECE Press Release] [GEE21 Expert Group Meeting Documents] [FEEI Meeting Documents] [GEE21 Steering Committee Meeting Documents]

Event: Second Science with Africa Conference: Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:51:05 +0000

This Conference is organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC), and aims to explore policies, measures and mechanisms for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in areas such as agriculture, ICTs, health, infrastructure, intellectual property and technology transfer, green science and climate change. A number of initiatives will be launched during the Conference, including the African Technology Development and Transfer Network, African Science to Business Challenge, the African Science Technology and Innovation Fund and African Science Technology and Innovation Framework. In addition, the Conference features a number of fora and workshops, such as the Innovation Investment Forum, Women and Innovation Roundtable, Science Innovation and Communication Workshop, Patent Fair and the Water Quality Report.

dates: 22-25 June 2010
location: Addis Ababa (Adis Abeba), Ethiopia
contact: Aida Opoku-Mensah
phone: 251-11 5511167
fax: 251 11 5510512
e-mail: aopoku-mensah@uneca.org
www: http://www.uneca.org/eca_resources/Press_Releases/2010_pressreleases/mainpressrelease4410.html

Event: Seventh African Development Forum on Climate Change and Development

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:57:36 +0000

The Seventh African Development Forum (ADF VII) on Climate Change and Development is being convened by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Forum will consider, inter alia, advocacy activities on climate change in the region.

dates: 10-14 October 2010
location: Addis Ababa (Adis Abeba), Ethiopia
www: http://uneca.org/

UNECA and EU to Deepen Partnership on Development Issues

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

11 May 2010: During a visit to the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the EU expressed an interest in forging a deeper partnership with UNECA on various development issues, including climate change and land ownership in Africa.

Responding to this expression of interest by the EU delegation led by Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development, Abdoulie Janneh, UNECA Executive Secretary, noted that the EU continued to be one of the largest supporters of development in Africa, particularly in terms of the resources invested on the continent. He said although UNECA is interested in deepening its partnership with the EU on climate change and land ownership, it would also be interested in forging new partnerships on governance, women’s rights, regional integration, trade and other areas of shared values, including the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), statistics and statistical development. Janneh also urged the EU to get involved in developing the capacity of African countries to generate credible statistics to promote evidence-based development and growth. [UNECA Press Release]

WORLD URBAN FORUM 5 DEVELOPS RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE INCLUSIVE CITIES

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:08:00 +0000

The fifth World Urban Forum (WUF-5), which took place from 22-26 March 2010, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme “The Right to the City: Bridging the Urban Divide,” was hosted by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the Government of Brazil. The event gathered a record of over 13,700 participants from 150 countries to discuss issues related to the sustainability of cities in the context of rapid urbanization, and a changing climate and environment. During the forum, UN-HABITAT Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka unveiled the World Urban Campaign, which will provide a platform for action for local communities, neighborhoods and leaders to promote democracy and human rights, and enhance global health, food security and energy efficiency.
On 23 March, congress members of several countries participated in a debate on “Parliamentarians of the world about climate changes and human settlements,” coordinated by Peter Goetz, President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat. On 25 March, participants engaged in a dialogue on “Sustainable Urbanization: Cities in a Changing Climate,” during which they addressed broad concepts and ideas, and then held thematic open debates on: “Sustainable urbanization: cities in a changing climate,” which presented policies and practices that cities, governments and communities around the world are embracing to address the challenges of climate change; “Reducing vulnerabilities to climate change,” which stressed the need to address climate change impacts within a framework that acknowledges the presence of the urban divide and embraces social inclusiveness; and “Promoting inclusive and environmentally sustainable cities,” which addressed how cities can reduce their carbon footprint and effectively engage the informal sector in low carbon economic growth, while fostering inclusive economic development.
UN-HABITAT, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank jointly launched a Global Greenhouse Gas Standard for cities, which will provide a global and harmonized protocol for quantifying the amount of greenhouse gases emissions attributable to cities and local regions. It is expected that this common methodology for calculating GHG emissions on a per capita basis will support policy and access to finance, allowing cities to compare their performances.
During the closing ceremony, Tibaijuka called on governments and leaders at all levels to “provide the requisite resources and to make investments that will provide sustainable cities in a changing climate.” Participants also considered the recommendations from the World Urban Forum, which will be presented to the UN-HABITAT Ministerial Governing Council, a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly, scheduled to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2011. The Rio Declaration endorsed by participants outlines recommendations related to the need to promote civil society participation and governance to build inclusive policies and cities. The sixth World Urban Forum will be hosted by the Government of Bahrain in 2012.
Links to further information
World Urban Forum-5
UN-HABITAT Executive Director’s speech

2010 Economic Report on Africa Released

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:06:48 +0000

30 March 2010: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union Commission have published the 2010 Economic Report on Africa, which is titled “Promoting High-level Sustainable Growth to Reduce Unemployment in Africa.” The Report, which is published annually, highlights the economic impacts of climate change in the African region, among other topics.

The Report states that, due to the effects of climate change in the region, agricultural output is expected to decrease by 50% , which will result in severe undernourishment. It also highlights that the health burden and conflicts in the region will increase as a result of populations fighting over dwindling resources, and emphasizes the need for Africa to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies. Underlining that the costs of adaptation and mitigation are high and beyond the means of African countries, the Report calls on the international community to help in financing these strategies. [UNECA Press Release] [The Report]