Posted on August, 30 2022

The ACW is organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Government of Gabon,  and provides platforms to build momentum towards COP27 and to take the pulse of the climate action in each region.  

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Libreville, President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, urged African countries to take their destinies into their hands. “The President said the UN Conference on climate change  is an African COP that will “significantly shape our future.” The President said the Africa Climate Week  can “bring us together to walk down the road to COP27 with unity of purpose and resolve to fight for a better future.”

Ovais Sarmad, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary said, "COP27 is about implementation, inclusion and bold action. This event should inspire us and remind us that every nation in Africa and all around the world can and must be part of the solution, " he said.

Africa is most vulnerable to the impact of climate change yet endowed with the potential for resilience against climate risks. The climate week provides an opportunity for African countries to tout their updated national determined contributions (NDCs) against climate change and mainstream the latter into the continent’s priorities. 

Stakeholders called for immediate action to check climate change. "The world, the climate and the people are waiting for solutions. We don’t need to negotiate more texts. We have sufficient documents that we can build on in order to provide this global solution," stated Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Change High Level Champion. 

On its part, WWF is  urging governments and other stakeholders to use the ACW to harmonize priorities in order to create  enabling conditions for the implementation of National Determine contributions ahead of COP 27.

WWF International Regional Director for Africa, Alice Ruhweza said “The Africa Climate Week provides a platform to build momentum towards COP27 and to take the pulse of the climate action in each region. As COP27 draws near, this is an opportunity for Africa to clearly demonstrate its strong leadership in driving innovative and transformative actions at scale to address the climate crisis.”