August 2024, Brussels - AUC Press Release
In a significant step towards addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by African nations, bilateral talks were held in Brussels between the African Union Commission (AUC) and the European Commission’s International Partnerships (INTPA) Department. The discussions, led by AUC Director Harsen Nyambe of the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE) Directorate, focused on current and future collaboration in critical areas such as meteorology, space for early warning, disaster risk reduction, climate services, biodiversity, the Great Green Wall, water and sanitation, sustainable land management, the African Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (AMHEWAS), the blue economy, and climate change.
African nations continue to face significant challenges due to climate change, which are exacerbated by limited financial and technical resources. The bilateral meetings underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation and support to effectively tackle these issues. Experts from the AUC and the EU Commission reviewed various strategies and initiatives to bolster resilience and sustainable development across the continent.
The European Union is committed to providing both financial and technical support through its relevant funding mechanisms and technical institutions. This collaboration aims to strengthen the capacity of African nations to manage and mitigate the impacts of climate change, ensure environmental sustainability, and attain a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
Bilateral meeting with OACPS
While in Brussels, the AUC also met with the Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to discuss issues relating to the ongoing implementation of the ClimSA programme. The two institutions appreciated the successes recorded so far, including the PUMA and ClimSA Station deployments conducted August 2024 in Kenya, facilitated and verified by the AU. AUC SEBE Director Harsen Nyambe emphasized the role of ClimSA in enhancing climate-informed decision-making, adaptation planning, and provision of tailored and sector-specific climate services for sustainable development in Africa. The OACPS reiterated the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange among the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to achieve shared development goals.
The European Union through the Intra-ACP Climate Service and Related Applications (ClimSA) programme provides both financial and technical support under the Intra-ACP Cooperation - 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, respectively. Tecnavia SA (the contractor), with the support of the JRC and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), is contracted by the AUC to supply, deliver, and install the infrastructure, as well as to deliver training on the infrastructure. Both the Climate Station (developed by JRC) and the PUMA Station (developed by EUMETSAT) are currently being deployed and installed in AU member States, Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) of the RECs, and the Regional Training Centres.
About the AUC ClimSA Programme
The ClimSA programme aims to foster sustainable development on the African continent by improving climate-informed decision-making processes and action across all socio-economic development areas. It enhances member States’ capacities to generate, deliver and incorporate science-based weather and climate information into decision-making, development planning and adaptation processes at all levels including, continental, regional and national levels. ClimSA continues to rise to the challenge of climate change and create a better and more sustainable future for “The Africa We Want” (Agenda 2063).
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For more Information Contact:
Molalet Tsedeke, molalett@africa-union.org AUC- Media Relations, Directorate of Information and Communication
Dr. Jolly Wasambo, wasamboj@africa-union.org AUC-ClimSA Programme Coordinator at the African Union Commission
Diana Chacha, chacha@africa-union.org AUC-ClimSA Programme Communication, Visibility, and Knowledge Management
