The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), “COP 28”, held in Dubai, UAE, from 30 November to 12 December 2023, hosted world leaders to discuss and negotiate global climate policies and actions.
The EAC Secretariat, Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), and EAC Partner States were among the delegates representing East Africa in the climate change dialogues. A session organised by the joint EAC, LVBC, and GIZ project “Integrated Water Resources Management” showcased major EAC achievements in the fight against climate change. Further, the EAC highlighted its commitment to addressing global warming and enhancing resilience against climate change through dedicated technical sessions on National Determined Contributions (NDC) implementation.
Participation in the COP presented EAC representatives with the opportunity to foster extensive regional and international collaborations through bilateral meetings and networking with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Green Growth Initiative, International Organization for Migration, NDC Partnership, World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Engagement focused on exploring potential collaborations to address climate change challenges and achieve sustainable development goals.
These discussions yielded positive outcomes, including the finalisation of multiple memoranda of understanding, an assessment of EAC’s technical support needs, and the development of a detailed plan for a collaborative climate adaptation programme. Further, initiatives such as the Climate Finance Investment Guide and integrated projects to foster climate-nature action at the regional level were set in motion.
The EAC and GIZ’s collaborative efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity emphasise the importance of integrating a climate perspective to enhance global sustainability goals and strengthen regional responses to climate challenges. Hence, as a follow-up to the COP discussions, EAC and GIZ agreed to include supporting tools for better decisions in climate action and coordinating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in the joint programming. By advancing these strategies, the EAC can effectively influence global climate dialogues and align with international climate targets.
Find more information on the Integrated Water Resources Management project here.