Launch of the implementation phase of the Green Climate Fund’s Readiness Regional Program for local governments in WAEMU member states at COP28 (PRESS RELEASES)
15 December 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – On December 9, 2023, a session on “Towards a collaborative and inclusive framework for project financing in the WAEMU region” was held at the BOAD Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai. The event marked the launch of the Regional Readiness program for WAEMU countries, initiated in Lomé on July 3, 2023, with the participation of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the WAEMU Council of Local Authorities (CCT), the focal points of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Presidents of the Mayors’ Associations of West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries.
The main objective of the Readiness program is to assist WAEMU local authorities in preparing projects eligible for climate finance institutions, including the Green Climate Fund. The program will help accelerate the territorialization of the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the WAEMU countries and align territorial climate actions with national actions through the adoption of the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system, in compliance with the Katowice Rulebook.
The program will also strengthen multi-level governance and decentralized cooperation between local authorities in the definition and implementation of climate-energy projects.
The opening session, moderated by Mr. Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa, recalled that the GCF initiative aims to prepare local authorities to develop climate and energy projects eligible for climate finance. The event provided an opportunity to clarify the expectations of local authorities regarding the Readiness program, as well as collaboration with BOAD, a financial institution accredited to the GCF.
At the opening ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Alioune Ndoye, Senegal’s Minister of the Environment, Mr. Oumar Ba, Chairman of the WAEMU-CCT, and Mr. Ibrahim Traoré, Head of the Climate Finance Division at BOAD, emphasized the importance of giving local and regional authorities a key role in achieving the Paris Agreement, and the need to mobilize funds for them to accelerate the implementation of climate objectives on the ground.
The panel discussion that followed the opening ceremony enabled a rich exchange between representatives of the GCF Focal Points, Mayors and Presidents of regional and local government associations in the WAEMU.
From this discussion emerged the need for greater professionalization of regional and local government leaders and staff in the climate field; and the need to improve legislative and regulatory aspects.
At the end of the side event, the list of 16 local governments selected to take part in the WAEMU Regional Readiness program was finalized. A steering committee was set up, comprising representatives from the WAEMU Council of Local Authorities, BOAD and UCLG Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Gaëlle Yomi : Tél : + 212 610 56 71 45
E-mail : gyomi@uclga.org
About the WAEMU Council of Local Authorities
The Council of Local Authorities is a consultative body of the WAEMU created by Additional Act n°02/CCEG/WAEMU/2011 of May 30, 2011, of the Conference of Heads of State and Government. Through this act, the Union is giving a clear political signal for greater involvement of local and regional authorities in the integration process, in order to meet the challenges of globalization, promote a multi-level system of governance and take account of the concerns of populations in community development policies and programs – https://www.uemoa.int/en/
About BOAD
The West African Development Bank (BOAD) is the common financing institution for the States of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). It was created through an agreement signed on November 14, 1973. BOAD became operational in 1976. Its main mission is to contribute to the economic integration and balanced development of the WAEMU member countries. These countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo – https://www.boad.org/en/
About UCLG Africa
United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) is the umbrella organization of local authorities in Africa whose founding congress took place in 2005 in the city of Tshwane, South Africa. UCLG Africa stems from the unification of three continental groupings of local governments following the official language inherited from the colonial period, namely: the African Union of Local Authorities (AULA), mainly English-speaking; the Union of African Cities (UVA), essentially French-speaking; and the Africa chapter of the União das Cidades e Capitais Lusófonas Africanas, Americanas e Asiáticas (UCCLA), mainly Portuguese-speaking. UCLG Africa currently brings together the 51 national associations of local governments operating in Africa as well as 2,000 cities and territories with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Through its members, UCLG Africa represents more than 350 million African citizens. Founding member of the world organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), UCLG Africa is its regional chapter for Africa. It aims to promote decentralized governance, strengthen the capacities of local governments and advocate the interests of African cities and local authorities. The organization works to promote sustainable urban development, improve local service delivery and empower local communities – https://www.uclga.org/ https://www.uclga.org/.
Awareness raising on the impact of the European Commission CBAM regulation on exporting industries in Africa
December 8th, 2023, at COP28, UCLG Africa Pavilion
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
To foster the transition to the green economy and comply with the engagement of the European Union to become a net zero economy by 2050, the European Commission has put in place a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism that defines a transitional period from 1 October 2023 until 31 December 2025, for any exporter of raw material or goods to the European Union member countries to align with the provisions of the CBAM. Beyond this period any exporter of non-decarbonized products will be liable to a carbon tax on its exported goods at its point of entry in Europe.
The side event attended by leaders of African subnational and local governments as well as African exporting companies help participants to (i) understand what the CBAM is (ii) apprehend how it is going to impact African exporters of raw materials covered by the mechanism i.e. cement, iron, aluminium, hydrogen to name a few and (iii) explore various levers which can be implemented to help African exporting industries to preserve their market shares while meeting SDGs and accelerating their own green transition.
The following recommendations were adopted by participants at the side event:
1) UCLG Africa to disseminate and populate widely the provisions of the European Commission CBAM regulation in African countries and specifically in the cities and territories hosting economic free zones areas which exports to the European Union member countries will be strongly impacted by the CBAM regulation;
2) African countries and subnational governments, particularly those which export raw material to EU member countries or house economic free zones areas to urgently initiate and implement a decarbonation strategy of their industrial areas and exporting activities;
3) The European Commission to accompany African countries in the implementation of the CBAM regulation by providing technical assistance and transfer of technologies using the European Global Gateway or the Team Europe framework.
Media Contact: gyomi@uclga.org; contact@lem-co.com; laurence.em@lem-co.com;
UCLG AFRICA SIGNS MOU WITH PEGASUS CAPITAL ADVISORS
Impact investment pioneer announces partnership and plan to bring green infrastructure projects to local African communities
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 13, 2023 – The United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) is pleased to announce the signing of a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the leading global impact investment firm Pegasus Capital Advisors and its Subnational Climate Fund at the Local Climate Action Summit held at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The MoU signing, which took place on December 2nd, marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between UCLG Africa and Pegasus Capital Advisors and reinforces their mutual commitment to advancing sustainable development across Africa. The Local Climate Action Summit saw the convergence of key decision-makers, experts, and stakeholders from around the world who gathered to address pressing global challenges related to climate change and sustainable urban development.
The partnership between UCLG Africa and Pegasus Capital Advisors aims to foster innovative solutions, catalyze sustainable urban development projects, and support local governments in Africa in their efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the Paris Agreement. By combining UCLG Africa’s vast network and expertise in local governance with Pegasus Capital Advisors’ comprehensive resources, this collaboration is poised to drive transformative change at the local level and leverage sustainable investments for the benefit of African cities and local communities. Immediate priorities include renewable energy, waste management, access to broadband technologies and water resilience, with initial projects and locations already identified in Kisumu, Kenya.
Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to enter into this strategic collaboration with Pegasus. This MoU represents a significant step forward in our collective journey towards sustainable development in Africa. By joining forces, we can unlock new opportunities for urban growth and ensure the advancement of prosperous, resilient, and inclusive cities across the continent.”
Craig Cogut, CEO & Founder of Pegasus Capital Advisors, emphasized their commitment to sustainability and belief in the power of partnerships. He said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with UCLG Africa to address the pressing challenges faced by local governments in Africa. Together, we will work towards designing and implementing urban solutions that create positive socio-economic and environmental impact. By pooling our expertise and resources, we can unlock a new era of sustainable development and investment opportunities.”
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