Maintaining sustainable development in Africa in the times of climate change

Maintaining “Africa’s growth trajectory and ensure the desired economic transformation will require access to appropriate technologies while taking into consideration the opportunities derived from climate change,” asserted Ms. Fatima Denton, the Director of ECA’s Special Initiatives Division at the opening of the 9th ECA Committee on Sustainable Development taking place in Addis Abeba.

Many decisions around sustainable development goals and climate change are
going to be taken during the latter part of the year making 2015 one of
the key times for new global agendas and frameworks. This session of the
Committee is charged with an enormous task to discuss, among many other
subjects, the role of mineral resources, technology, innovations and
climate change resilience in fostering sustainable socio-economic
development.

“It is clear that focus on innovation and appropriate technology access
plus rational use and management of natural resources and taking into
consideration climate change impact are critical for Africa’s
transformative development,” said Ms. Denton.

The Committee is expected to provide a clear understanding of Africa’s
priorities and key messages for the High Level Political Forum on
Sustainable Development, which will sit after this 9th session. It will
discuss how new technologies and innovations can be the drivers of
continental economic growth. Member states will also hear ideas on
harnessing these innovations to their advantage.

Delegates added that the Committee’s deliberations should not only remain
the realm of policy but must also include pragmatic discussion with
practical examples on ideas that work for example in the sector of
adaptable technologies.

As the impact of climate change is acute on development activities,
participants are expected to deliberate on challenges posed by climate
change and recommend appropriate mitigation measures to adapt and ways
these can be incorporated into national sustainable development plans.

The Committee will provide ECA guidance and direction on enhanced
implementation of its 2014/15 work program; and on priorities for the
2016/2017 biennium for the ECA sub program on innovations, technologies
and management of Africa’s natural resources.

The meeting attended by over 200 delegates will give a platform on its
second day to the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
(ARFSD); a group comprised of government ministers, senior government
officials, international organizations, agencies, and major civil society
groups.

ECA is organizing this ninth session jointly with the African Union
Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in collaboration
with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
(UNDESA), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United
Nations Development Program (UNDP).