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How GWP, nations transformed Benin’s water sector

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How GWP, nations transformed Benin’s water sector

A brand-new national water policy, an innovative water law and a foreign intervention running into millions of Euros now typify the hitherto sluggish water sector in Benin Republic.

Global Water Partnership
Stilt Village on Lake Nokoué. Photo credit: E. Lafforgue/GWP

Courtesy of the Global Water Partnership (GWP), the West African nation has developed an effective Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plan, which was facilitated by GWP Benin (the Country Water Partnership), with support from GWP technical and financial partners.

The process, it was gathered, led to the incorporation of IWRM principles in multiple national Strategies for Growth and Poverty Alleviation (SCRP), the government’s 2009 national water policy, and its 2010 national water law. A total of over €23 million was reportedly generated for the implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the national IWRM action plan.

According to the Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso-based GWP West Africa, The IWRM plan has three five-year phases. Phase 1 (2011-2015) includes the definition and costs of priority actions as well as governance reforms identified as necessary for achieving plan objectives, such as establishing a Steering Committee, an Implementing Unit, and Basin and Local Committees. The total budget for Phase 1 was approximately €22.5 million.

Phase 2 (2016-2020) pushes for improved coordination of IWRM implementation at all watershed levels. The budget for Phase 2 is €36.8 million; external financing is estimated to represent 59%.

“The IWRM planning process was successful in mobilising finances for sustainable water management. This dates to 2006 when the Government of the Netherlands set up PPEA I in Benin, which included over €5 million to support IWRM. An additional €1.6 million was secured from other partners, including the governments of Denmark, Germany, and France,” stated GWP.

It adds that, in terms of implementation, the Netherlands and the European Commission provided support in funding PPEA II (2013-2015) and Programme Omi Delta (2016-2021), which uses Benin’s national IWRM plan as a reference document. Total funding for these programmes is said to over €100 million, with approximately €17 million is specifically allocated to IWRM interventions.

Benin began an IWRM deltaic planning process targeting the Ouémé basin under PPEA II, in respect of which GWP Benin is working to improve understanding of delta management among key stakeholders, including non-state actors.

The influence on water governance frameworks spread far beyond the creation of an IWRM plan, says the GWP. The organisation adds that, from a development planning perspective, the IWRM planning process was closely linked and incorporated into Benin’s SCRPs, which serve as key national reference documents on the country’s socio-economic development as well as mechanisms to align external funding with national priorities.

From a political and legal perspective, the IWRM process, notes GWP, enabled Benin to develop a new national water policy in 2009 and a new water law in 2010, which provide the institutional basis for improved water management strategies.

The establishment of the Benin Country Water Partnership in 2001 was said to have laid the foundation for the development of a national IWRM action plan, which pioneered capacity building initiatives that improved stakeholders’ understanding of IWRM principles and implementation.

GWP says: “Benin’s government formally requested GWP’s support in developing its national IWRM action plan. GWP’s first task was to reignite sectoral ministries’ interest in IWRM, which had decreased due to a lack of tangible progress since the Kouhounou Declaration and the WSSD. GWP Benin’s proactive and persistent advocacy led to the establishment of a management committee to oversee the IWRM planning process.

“GWP Benin provided the committee’s Vice-Chairman and Deputy Secretary, thereby counter-balancing the political weight and maintaining impartiality. All stakeholders approved an IWRM roadmap structured according to the steps of the IWRM planning cycle developed by GWP under the PAWD programme.

“As well as playing a key role in management mechanisms, GWP Benin mobilised its network to support a decentralised approach. Area Water Partnerships (AWPs) were established in eight different regions. These AWPs facilitated local participation in the plan’s development, training sessions, and consultation workshops. GWP was also responsible for engaging with media to maintain visibility of the process.

“GWP Benin has retained a key role in supporting the implementation of the completed IWRM plan. This includes maintaining the neutral partnership platform established as an essential component of the plan and acting as an advisor to the plan’s Steering Committee, which was set up to monitor progress and mobilise external financing.”

Expert says GMO cotton growing not cause of deaths in India

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Expert says GMO cotton growing not cause of deaths in India

An expert on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) from India has told a UN conference on biodiversity that GMO cotton growing is not causing of deaths in the country.

Bhagirath Choudhary
Bhagirath Choudhary

Bhagirath Choudhary, founder director of South Asia Biotechnology Centre, said that the cotton variety has nothing to do with suicide cases in the country.

“The deaths are as a result of social problems linked to high cost of dowry demand by the parents of daughters,” Choudhary said.

Choudhary noted that majority of the people are unable to borrow money from the banking intuitions hence forcing them to borrow from the middlemen who ends up harassing the borrowers as some commit suicide to escape the demands.

He observed that it is wrong to for some people to use deaths as a mockery of social problems that the country is going through.

He said that new technologies have never killed people in thousands as claimed by opponents of the technology that has increased cotton production from 13 million bales in 2002 to 36 million bales in 2017.

Choudhary said that seven million farmers have been growing GM cotton I 12 million hectares throughout the country since it was introduced 16 years ago because it reduces the amount of pesticides farmers buy to control pests and increase harvests.

“If Indians stops practicing agriculture, they will not have food as out of the 1.3 billion people in India, 50 percent depend on agriculture as a living,” he added.

The expert told opponents to stop misleading the people at conferences adding that Sudan and many other countries have been growing GM cotton and no deaths has been reported in the countries.

He said that cotton productivity has doubled in the past years due to farmers demand and adoption of the GM cotton variety.

“India currently produces a quarter of cotton demand globally and chances are that the production rate will continue to rise in the coming seasons,’ he said.

The expert said that the technology has delivered its benefits for 16 years and continue being adopted by farmers.

According to International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), up to 17 million farmers in 24 countries planted 189.8 million hectares (469 million acres) of GM crops in 2017, an increase of 3 percent or 4.7 million hectares (11.6 million acres) from 2016.

ISAAA global status of commercialised GM crops in 2017 indicates that GM crop adoption surges as economic benefits accumulate in the past 22 years.

It said that so far United States of America (USA), Brazil, Argentina, Canada, India, Paraguay, Pakistan, China, South Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, Australia, Philippines, Myanmar, Sudan, Spain, Mexico and Colombia are growing GM crops.

India, China, Pakistan, USA, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Columbia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Burma, Australia and Egypt are growing GM cotton.

By Duncan Mboyah

UN commends governments in helping achieve biodiversity targets

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UN commends governments in helping achieve biodiversity targets

A senior UN official has commended sub-national governments in ensuring that the global biodiversity targets, known as Aichi Biodiversity targets, are achieved on the ground.

cristiana pasca palmer
Cristiana Paşca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Cristiana Pașca Palmer, UN Assistant Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, told journalists that by being the nexus between the Parties and the local governments, the sub-national governments are responsible to mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors.

“These groups are the key architects of vertical integration of policies and the implementation on the ground of coherent, coordinated and cooperative biodiversity actions,” Palmer said during the launch of the Sub national coalition for biodiversity action as part of a proactive Sharm El Sheikh to Beijing Action Agenda for nature and people.

Palmer said that the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD) manages the urban‐rural linkages that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity especially in relation to water security, human health, and sustainable infrastructure.

The UN official noted that the sun national governments has also leveraged the power of sustainable city‐region food systems and also ensuring the connectivity of parks and other protected areas.

Palmer said that the sub-national governments vertical coordination of biodiversity strategies and action plans between the different levels of government, the design and operation of positive economic incentives and greener business regulation are important for achieving the UN biodiversity goals.

Natiaha Vera, secretary general of nrg4SD, said that the groups lead the development of Sub national biodiversity strategies and action plans in alignment as a complement to national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

“We are maximizing sub national efforts by implementing tools, guidelines and nature-based solutions, as well as to exchange best practices and promote decentralized cooperation to support the implementation of the strategic plan for biodiversity 2011-2020,” Vera said.

Vera revealed that the group mobilizes and involve the entire range of civil society through communication, education and public awareness strategies at a sub national level.

She said that they also engage with the private sector, indigenous peoples, local communities and their traditional knowledge.

The sub national groups in the biodiversity debates include nrg4SD, the Group of leading sub national governments for the Aichi biodiversity targets (GoLS) and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

The groups have been engaging with the advisory committee on Sub national Governments to the Convention on Biological Diversity (AC SNG) to have a voice at the agenda of the CBD and support parties in the implementation of the biodiversity strategy and action plans and advancing the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by 2020.

By Duncan Mboyah

Bioinsecticides, safe alternative to Sniper – Biotech agency, BioCrops

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Bioinsecticides, safe alternative to Sniper – Biotech agency, BioCrops

Poisonous chemicals will no longer be used for the preservation of food, particularly seedlings, with the development of bioinsecticides, the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has said.

Bioinsecticides
L-R: Professor Alex Akpa, Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); Mrs Oniyide, Director, Ministry of Budget and Planning; Mr. Bitrus Nabasu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology; CEO of BioCrops, Dr Odusanya; Dr. Rose Gidado of the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Nigeria; and Dr. NAsiru. Director, NABDA

Bioinsecticides are organic substances harmless to man the environment, regarded by scientists as safe alternatives to Snipper as a crop insecticide.

The bioinsecticides are being produced by BioCrops Biotechnology Company Ltd, an indigenous company. The substances are set to replace harmful chemicals like Sniper.

This revelation was made at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NABDA and BioCrops held recently in Abuja.

Biotechnology is a valuable tool for addressing the several challenges of Nigeria in terms of food production, genetic improvement of living systems, health management, environmental sustainability and industrial growth, said Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, at the signing ceremony.

“NABDA and BioCrops have today reached a historic landmark in their relationship by signing this MOU which will ultimately lead to immediate production of Nigerian developed and manufactured biotechnology products, such as biofertilisers, biopesticides, technology seeds and elite seedlings, including elite yam varieties promoted by IITA and YIISWA programme which are grown in the Air. This is in line with the Economic Diversification Agenda of the present administration.

“BioCrops today has brought synergies between farmers, top notch research institutions within the country, digital finance experts, novel market ready products and indeed game changers in the agricultural space.”

He said the feat by both organisations goes to show the seriousness with which the government of the day regards agriculture.

“Nigeria today has signified its readiness to promote and compete in the global village. This collaboration has attracted an initial funding of about N3.2 billion in its phased implementation and will produce close to 10,000 jobs that did not hitherto exist in this county.

“NABDA, through the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, has found a worthy partner that is research rich and product ready and that demonstrates the efficacy of Public Private Partnership when harnessed effectively.”

Nabasu described the partnership as “the beginning of good things to happen to bring back the lost glory of Nigeria’s economy.”

He added: “We sincerely welcome and acknowledge this memorandum as a significant forward in the quest of the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari at making Agriculture a main contributor to the Nigerian economy.

“Globally, science and technology is shaping development and the way people think and act. Government has demonstrated in time past its determination to make science and technology the hub on which the wheel of development revolves. Premised on this, the President has promised to make science and technology the country’s mainstay, and not to allow any research result go to waste ever in this country.”

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology through its Agencies as a matter of policy, has been forging and supporting collaborations among Public and Private Institutions/Organisations to facilitate development, equity investment in projects and access to new revenue and capacity to service delivery for the fulfillment of the visions and aspirations of the national Science and Technology.

NABDA, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, is a public institution which has the mandate to acquire, domesticate, deploy, carry out research, coordinate, facilitate and promote biotechnology activities in Nigeria. BioCrops, a private biotechnology firm, is an ERGP Laboratory Incubatee of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning with a focus on peri-urban agriculture and novel products.

Biodiversity: Conservationists clamour change of emphasis to water, energy, food

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Biodiversity: Conservationists clamour change of emphasis to water, energy, food

Conservation experts have called on African leaders to change the global emphasis for development agendas to water, energy and food sectors.

Frederick Kumah
Frederick Kumah, Africa director, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Frederick Kumah, Africa director, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), said that it is time for leaders to look at the deals that benefits people and nature.

“Given the current projections, the continent’s population will double in 2050 hence the need to re-think how to avail food, water and energy for the projected population,” Kumah told delegates attending the UN Biodiversity conference in Sheik El Sheik, Egypt.

Kumah noted that plans on Africa’s food systems, land and cultivation process should top the continent’s agenda in readiness for the forecast population increase.

He said that there is need to know the amount of water that the continent has since it plays a crucial role for food production and wildlife conservation.

“We have to monitor and manage water resources effectively in the continent to benefit the populations,” he added.

Kumah called for use of renewal energy as a replacement for fossil fuel that is unhealthy for the lives of populations.

“We need to decentralize energy production and supply to reach many people who deserve it for their domestic usage,” he added.

Kumah noted that the continent need to embark on massive solar and wind energy given that the continent has plenty of sunshine and wind that could help in generating energy.

James Isiche, East African regional director of international fund for animal welfare (IFAW), said that the regional blocks need to come up with harmonised policies to help save wildlife from threats.

He said that the policies must be geared towards protecting the wildlife that is one of the main foreign exchange earners for the continent.

Isiche noted that wildlife in Africa is threatened by climate change, human encroachment, poachers and drought.

“We have to start looking at wildlife as a valued part of biodiversity unlike the past when they were viewed at peripheral,” he added.

Isiche urged the governments to consider increasing conservancies since the number of wildlife is exceeding the landscape currently due to the pressure on land.

He said that the 160 conservancies and 80 in Namibia is not enough hence the need for countries to increase them for safety of wildlife.

The expert called on governments to allocate budgets for conservation since support from development partners is fast drying out.

By Duncan Mboyah

Africities 8: Mayors reject discrimination, stigmatisation, xenophobia

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Africities 8: Mayors reject discrimination, stigmatisation, xenophobia

African mayors and local authorities, who met at 8th edition of the Africities Summit in Marrakech, Morocco, from November 20 to 24, 2018 have expressed the determination to establish a climate that is conducive to social harmony within the territories and which rejects discrimination of all kinds, stigmatisation and xenophobia.

Africities 8
Delegates at the Political Segment of Africities 8

They made the submission in a resolution tagged: “Declaration of Mayors and Local Authorities in Africa” released on Saturday, November 24 at the close of the weeklong conference.

They also expressed concern over issues related to migration and the plight of migrants, the youth, traditional leadership and other groups.

They said: “We are convinced that Africa has a rightful place to occupy in the world of today and of tomorrow, provided that it knows how to rely on its deep cultural values and identities, to invent a new modernity bringing together democracy and sovereignty and as Mayors and local governments of Africa are determined to be part of this momentum, ready to take the responsibility of implementing the transition to Sustainable Cities and Territories, so that the Africa that we want by 2063 will be an Africa that is open to the world and true to itself.”

According to them, in line with its demographic transition, Africa needs to transform itself to meet new challenges.

“To sustain the urbanisation process, the subnational governments will have to plan for the increasing numbers of young people, vulnerable people and the high demand for public services, growing informalisation, exclusion, marginalisation and impoverishment. Without adequate planning by sub-national governments, this may lead to high risks of fragility, explosion of social and spatial disparities,” the mayors and local authority officials declared.

The expressed concern over the fact that the decentralisation processes on the continent are not uniform and that even within the subregions there are variations in the state, forms, and how decentralisation is implemented.

This, the delegates pointed out, is due to the sovereignty and diversity of the countries., adding that the number of subnational structures / governments, the types of structures, and sizes all vary from country to country and that they are not determined by the rate of urbanisation.

They also expressed the fact that the decentralisation processes in Africa takes place in the particular context of globalisation, urbanisation, democratic and political transition, economic and social, geopolitical, cultural and ecological transition and climate change.

On governance, they demanded that effort should be made to make the lower levels of government more democratic as, according to them, it has been noted that there are still elements of control by the centre.

“More than half of the sub-national governments (75%) operate in environments that are hostile or not favourable to decentralisation, leaving the sub-national governments little or no room to manoeuvre,” the delegates lamented.

They emphasised that involving sub-national level governments is key to national planning since they (sub-national governments) are at the forefront of local development planning.

They embraced approaches and strategies stipulated in the numerous global agendas (such as Paris Agreement on climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals, New Urban Agenda and Agenda 2063), pointing out that “development and change takes place at the spatial level and that sudden and total change occurs and then materializes in addressing the main global agendas”.

They affirmed the provisions of the global development agendas that recognise the importance of the territories and the role of cities and local authorities as essential development partners, even as they declared: “Sub-national governments are therefore calling for a responsive institutional and policy framework for the operation and self-organizing initiatives, a new national pact reinforcing their legitimacy and strategies that take into account improved public services and the demands of the populations and the allocative efficiency of the public policies.”

They stressed that the implementation of the recommendations of AfriCities 8 must focus more on the territories and requires transition towards sustainable development.

The summit had “The Transition to Sustainable Cities and Territories: The Role of local and Sub-National Governments of Africa” as its theme.

8th Africities Summit closes in Morocco with record participation

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8th Africities Summit closes in Morocco with record participation

The eighth International Summit of Cities and Territorial Communities of Africa (Africities) closed on Saturday, November 24, 2018 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.

Africities 8
Dignitaries at the closing ceremony of Africities 8

Held since Tuesday, November 20 under the theme “The Transition to Sustainable Cities and Territories, The Role of Local and Sub-National Governments of Africa,” the summit saw a record of nearly 7,000 participants.

The summit gathered ministers, local authorities and local elected officials, officials of local and central administrations, civil society organisations, associations and trade unions, economic operators, researchers and academics, and international cooperation agencies.

It discussed appropriate shared strategies to improve the living conditions of people at the local level and means to contribute to the integration, peace and unity of Africa starting from the grassroots.

The Pan-African meeting was also an opportunity to raise awareness of the new responsibilities of regional leaders to find adequate strategies to ensure transition to sustainable cities and territories in Africa.

Africities Summit is the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa’s flagship Pan-African event that is held every three years in one of the five regions of Africa.

After Marrakech, the 9th edition of Africities will be held in 2021 in Kisumu, Kenya.

Exposés as biodiversity summit celebrates 15th anniversary of Cartagena Protocol

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Exposés as biodiversity summit celebrates 15th anniversary of Cartagena Protocol

Delegates at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Thursday, November 22, 2018 at a side event celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Cartagena Protocol
View of the panel during the side event held to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Participants at the gathering, among other functions, explored key successes achieved under the Biosafety Protocol. Ulrika Nilsson of the CBD Secretariat, who opened the celebration and moderated the event, listed these to include: a fully operational Biosafety Clearing-House; the progress made by Parties in the context of public awareness, education, and public participation at the national level; and the entry into force of the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress.

Delegates, in their comments, made noteworthy revelations relating to the impact and progress of the Protocol on their endeavours and countries.

For instance, Alex Owusu-Biney, UNEP-Global Environment Facility (GEF) – Biosafety Projects, underscored that the Protocol sets out a comprehensive framework for international cooperation on the safety of transboundary movements of living modified organisms (LMOs) and noted that the Protocol strikes a balanced approach to meet the needs of consumers, industry and the environment.

He noted that the precautionary principle is an essential component of the Cartagena Protocol, underscoring that risk assessment processes, information sharing, public awareness and participation are key to fulfilling the Protocol’s objective of safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs. He noted that the GEF capacity building projects are divided between thematic and regional, highlighting that it is important for Parties to get well acquainted with their rights and obligations under the Protocol.

He mentioned that capacity building projects aimed at: ensuring a vibrant participation process; provision of technical tools to support national decision making on biosafety; and disseminating recommendations, best practices and feedback for replication.

Georgina M. Catacora-Vargas, Ministry of Environment and Water, Bolivia, showcased biosafety from an integral approach in reviewing the regulation of LMOs in Bolivia. She reported that legislation developed in 2009 forbids genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in her country. She highlighted that the introduction of technological agricultural packages containing genetically modified seeds present a risk to Bolivia’s rich genetic patrimony, to ecosystems and human health. She referred to her country’s law forbidding GMO-based food in schools and legislations that forbid activities related to GM maize, due to the risk of gene flow into native maize varieties.

Ntakadzeni Tshidada of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa, highlighted that 100% of cotton and 95% of soybean in South Africa is genetically modified. She also reported the prevalence of GM-derived medicines in South Africa’s market, including anti-cancer agents and vaccines.

She noted her country’s progress towards facilitating the establishment and further development of an effective biosafety system, stressing that South Africa’s 2005 National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) integrated biosafety activities. She underscored that the GMO Act provides for measures to promote the responsible production, use and application of GMOs.

She further noted that several universities in South Africa have included biosafety into their curriculum, highlighting a study carried out to assess public perception of biotechnology and how this information can inform new biosafety strategies.

Guy van den Eede of the European Commission (EC) introduced a detection training programme launched by the EC’s Joint Research Centre, in 2000, to assist EU Member States and Third Countries to address analytical challenges required to implement the requirements of the EU regulatory framework on GMOs. He also highlighted achievements of the “Global Harmonisation of GMO Analysis Support to Regional Networking” Project, including: the establishment of new networks of GMO laboratories; regional testing projects and capacity-building initiatives; and the mapping of regional technical capacities.

Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, via video, highlighted the successes of the Convention relating to LMOs, including: experience in detection and identification of LMOs; awareness raising; participation in decision making on socio-economic considerations; and risk assessment on LMOs. She urged everyone to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Protocol’s entry into force to further enhance its visibility and implementation.

Ho-Min Jang of the Korea Biosafety Clearing House (KBCH), Republic of Korea, via video, said the KBCH has played a catalytic role in the implementation of the Protocol. He noted that the Republic of Korea has approached, through the KBCH, other Asian countries to promote regional collaboration on biosafety issues. He stressed that such collaborative initiatives would enhance the global implementation of the Protocol.

Climate finance growing, says UNFCCC

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Climate finance growing, says UNFCCC

The Summary and Recommendations on the 2018 biennial assessment and overview of climate finance flows of the Standing Committee on Finance shows that, on a comparable basis, global climate finance flows increased by 17% in 2015–2016 from 2013–2014 levels, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has said.

Patricia Espinosa
Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC

The Standing Committee on Finance – the body that supports the Conference of the Parties with respect to climate finance matters – was established by Parties at COP17.

The Summary and Recommendations provide updated information on global climate finance flows for the period 2015-2016 and trends since 2011, their implications and relevance to international climate change efforts.

They highlight the fact that the bulk of climate finance continues to go towards efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and a relatively small proportion of finance goes towards efforts to enable the most vulnerable to adapt, noting measurement differences.

One central conclusion, according to the UN body, is that the growth in global climate finance seen in 2015 was largely driven by high levels of new private investment in renewable energy, the largest segment of the global total. The fall in renewable energy investment in 2016 was offset by an 8% increase in investment in energy efficiency.

However, whilst climate-related finance flows are considerable, they remain relatively small in the context of wider trends in global investment.

For example, while global investment in renewable energy and renewable energy subsides are rising, global investment in fossil fuel and fossil fuel subsidies remain considerably higher.

Another central finding is that climate finance to developing countries as reported in developed countries biennial reports to the UNFCCC increased by 24 per cent in 2015 to $33 billion and, subsequently, by 14 per cent in 2016 to $38 billion.

Other key findings relate to the efforts of Multilateral Development Banks that continue to scale up climate finance flows; flows through UNFCCC funds; and multilateral climate funds that are increasing – although their share of global climate finance flows remains small.

Ownership is a critical factor in the delivery of effective climate finance. Significant data gaps on tracking climate finance flows at domestic level still prevail.

Preliminary insights related to Article 2.1c of the Paris Agreement highlight the importance of considering climate finance flows in the broader context.

Further details can be viewed in the 2018 Summary and Recommendations here.

Media executives commit to awareness raising on drought, flood management

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Media executives commit to awareness raising on drought, flood management

About 20 media women and men from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Togo took part in the regional workshop on “Integrated Drought and Flood Management: Contribution of media men/women in advocacy and awareness-raising in West Africa”.

Global Water Partnership West Africa
Participants listening to a presentation during the workshop

The meeting, co-organised by Global Water Partnership West Africa (GWP-WA), the Volta Basin Authority (VBA) and the Country Water Partnership (CWP) of Burkina Faso, was held from November 20 to 22, 2018 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, at the premises of the VBA Executive Directorate.

At the end of the workshop, all participants indicated that they had a better understanding of the different concepts of droughts, floods and the issues related to their integrated management. They indicated that they now have a good understanding of the involvement and role of the media in promoting integrated drought and flood management in West Africa in their respective countries for sustainable development.

The participants particularly noted the good organisation of the workshop, which made it possible to clarify the concepts during the presentations and then reinforce the understanding of these concepts in the field by visiting pilot sites. Finally, the knowledge gained, and lessons learned from the visit enabled media actors to produce press articles and produce radio and TV magazines on the spot.

“The field visit is always an enriching initiative that allows us to gather concrete elements of information in addition to connecting with experts,” said one of the participants.

“When I came here, I thought it must be another workshop like the dozens we have attended in the past,” said Aboubakar Sidiki Sylla of the Ivorian Radio and Television (RTI). “But I must admit that the workshop in Ouagadougou is quite different. A very good experience that combines theory, field visit and journalistic production practice”.

Joachim Batao of Burkina Faso’s online newspaper, Burkina Demain, said: “This workshop is undoubtedly the best workshop for journalists I have attended so far”.

Jasmine Arku of the Ghanaian Graphic News Paper added at the same time as her compatriot Samuel Asamoah of Metro TV, that the session was “an eye opener”. Being from the very humid south of the country, the field visit to the Ramitenga site where solar energy is used for drip irrigation and Komki Ipala with the successful experience of restoring degraded soil for agroforestry, allowed them to be confronted with real situations that are replicable in the northern part of their country, Ghana.

“The workshop allowed me to know that floods, if well managed, did not only have negative effects,” concludes Arku.

The contact with media women and men during the workshop made it possible to change the perception that researchers had of journalists.

“I understood that we need as researchers to make an effort to involve journalists in our work from the outset if we want our results to be known and understood by the population and decision-makers,” said Gnenakantanhan Coulibaly, a doctoral student at 2IE, who specialises in flood management.

Mr. Alassane Toure, representative of the consultant in charge of developing the national drought management plan in Burkina Faso, explained that he has “understood all the benefits for a specialist to approach media men and women in order to create mutual trust that can facilitate a good understanding of each other’s functions and work”.

To reinforce the achievements of the Ouagadougou workshop, the participants recommended, among other things, that:

  • Such practical thematic workshops should be organised at the regional level and, if possible, in the countries to enable journalists to familiarize themselves with the different concepts;
  • Partner organisations pool their efforts and resources to provide better training for the better involvement of media women and men in the sustainable development of the region;
  • That participants at the workshop be integrated into the network of journalists already trained by GWP-WA and its partners since 2007 called “ShareInfo”;
  • The formalisation with VBA of the network of journalists of the Volta Basin to support the communication efforts of the Executive Directorate towards the populations and decision-makers of the member countries of the Volta Basin; this could be achieved through the establishment and regular animation of a media forum like the basin stakeholders’ forum.

At the end of the workshop, all participants committed themselves to making productions to inform, raise awareness and educate populations and decision-makers on the issues and challenges related to droughts and floods from the documentation and with the resource persons available at the workshop. Personal commitments for the post-workshop period range from maintaining collaboration with Country Water Partnerships (CWPs) in countries to creating sections in the media or even creating media (TV, websites or radio) specialising in environmental issues, especially online.

Participants believe that the objectives of the workshop were largely achieved beyond their expectations.

Officials of GWP-WA and VBA said that they are committed to supporting the media in their efforts to inform and educate the population on all issues related to integrated natural resources management. Both organisations called on participants and media women and men in general to get closer to the CWPs (for GWP) and national focal points (for VBA) for a better understanding of the issues discussed at the national level.

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