Djibouti, 14 September 2015: In the run-up to COP 21, scheduled to take place in Paris, France from November 30 to December 11, 2015, IGAD launched the preparation of an IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy for the next five years (2016-2020). This was disclosed at a Kick-off Consultative Meeting held at the IGAD Secretariat in Djibouti on 14th September 2015.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony on behalf of the Executive Secretary, H. E. Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim, Ms. Fathia Alwan, Program Manager for Health and Social Development of IGAD, indicated that the process of preparing the IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy (IRCCS) has come at the right time when the Organization is in urgent need of such a strategy to coordinate and harmonize regional responses to the threat of climate change induced vulnerabilities. She added that the economies of the region are climate sensitive and that climate change puts millions of people in the region at increased risk of disasters. She therefore urged the Team of International Experts tasked with the preparation of the Strategy to exert maximum effort to make a comprehensive assessment and develop a precise instrument that will address the challenges of climate change in the region. She also emphasized the need to develop an IGAD Common Position or Call for Action to be used as an advocacy and support mobilization tool during COP 21 in Paris. Finally, Ms Fathia Alwan expressed appreciation to the EU Delegation in Djibouti for financing the Project and ICPAC for taking the lead in the preparation of the IRCCS which is expected to be finalized in January 2016.
On his part, Mr. Raphaël Demoulière, Representative of the EU Delegation in Djibouti, observed that Climate Change is one of the top priorities of the European Union and that 2015 is a crucial year in the international community’s effort to reduce carbon emissions and their negative consequences. He therefore re-affirmed the continued commitment of the EU to respond to the threats posed by climate change and associated vulnerabilities.
Dr. Abdourahman Houmed-Gaba Maki, on behalf of the Director of the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Center (ICPAC) welcomed the initiative and indicated that ICPAC will guide the formulation of the Strategy. He also assured the Consultancy Team that they would provide the necessary support to ensure that the document under preparation takes into account the various dimensions of climate change in the region. To this effect, he stated that ICPAC Experts will accompany the Team to IGAD member states to facilitate the data collection and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders at national and regional levels.
Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye, Team Leader of the International Experts in charge of the preparation of the IRCCS, thanked both IGAD and the EU Delegation in Djibouti for the opportunity to undertake the Assignment and for all the support accorded the Team. He then assured the Clients that the Team will do its best to come up with a document that will be crucial in addressing the debilitating impacts of climate change and in improving the living conditions of people in the Region. ###
For further information, please, contact
Mr. Abebe Tadege Tsehayu
Climate Change Officer
IGAD Climate Prediction & Applications Centre (ICPAC)
Ngong Road, Dagoreti Corner, P.O Box 10304, G.P.O. 00100
Nairobi, KENYA
TEL: 254 20 3514426
EMAIL: atadege@icpac.net
MOBILE: +254-716-223871
Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye
Senior Advisor/Consultant
IGAD/HESAD\
Addis Ababa
