The 3rd Climate Diplomacy Academy Conference Held

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), in partnership with Strathmore University, is implementing a Climate Diplomacy Academy (CDA) in efforts to build capacities of young and aspiring climate change diplomats, negotiators and policymakers from across SSA on the critical role of climate diplomacy and international cooperation on climate action.

CDA particularly aims to enhance understanding of pertinent challenges that (African) diplomats and negotiators are commonly faced with in their efforts to build momentum and actions towards realizing the global climate goals, particularly the Paris Agreement. Further, it aims to promote understanding of the interconnectivity between climate change and other areas such as economy, migration, and human security among experts in the region.

The 3^rd CDA, 2023 has been conducted between 10^th April and 29^th June 2023 through a series of online training sessions, bringing together 44 beneficiaries from 10 SSA countries. This will be followed by a 3-day CDA conference from 27^th to 29^th June 2023 at Strathmore University, Nairobi. The conference offers participants the opportunity to more effectively interact with peers, engage seasoned experts and negotiators as well as foster a network of future negotiators for the region. We see this as a key step in building a critical mass of young and future African experts and diplomats with strong capacities to effectively engage in regional and global debates on climate diplomacy in a manner that facilitates multilateralism and international cooperation on climate action.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Anja Berretta, Head of program, KAS-Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change said that climate change has severe impacts on almost all aspects of everyday life including livelihoods, human security, and economic affairs. “We have unfortunately seen a lot of polarization in the international climate change negotiations lately. The risk is that the effects of climate change are not addressed with the urgency needed and therefore I believe that trainings like this have an important function as they help to build diplomatic skills and the art of consensus building. The latter is urgently needed if we want to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement”, Berretta added.

On the same note, Prof. Izael Da Silva, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation at Strathmore University, said, “By building the capacity of young and aspiring climate change diplomats, negotiators, and policymakers from across Sub-Saharan Africa, we will foster a network of future leaders committed to realizing the global climate goals, particularly in line with the Paris Agreement. As we embark on this journey, I am confident that the expertise and dedication of all participants, combined with the guidance of our distinguished guests and experts, will propel us towards a sustainable future built upon enhanced regional and international cooperation on climate action.”

Also present was the ministry representative, Dr Pacifica Achieng, Director of Climate Change Directorate, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry who reiterated the importance of such partnerships as they continue to foster Africa’s participation in environment and climate change negotiations within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a political foundation in the Federal Republic of Germany. Its main objective is to foster democratic and support democratic institutions through working with government institutions and relevant civil society organizations. KAS has over 100 country offices around the world, about 20 of which are in the SSA region.

KAS, Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa is based in Nairobi, working to realize activities around the nexus of energy security and climate change in SSA. Through the coordination of activities in the region, the Programme has a mission to improve the political and social framework for climate-friendly sustainable development, foster regional and international cooperation on energy security and enhance climate adaptation and mitigation action in the region.