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Environment & Natural Resources

Eastern African countries discuss carbon markets and carbon pricing in preparation for the upcoming 24th Conference of the Parties (COP 24) in Katowice

November 2018- As many as 34 African countries refer to carbon mechanisms in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Therefore, many countries in Africa, including Eastern African countries, are interested in exploring the potential of carbon market mechanisms to reduce emissions and to implement their countries’ NDCs. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement covers several approaches for which rules, procedures and guidelines are in the final phase of being negotiated.

In this regard, the GIZ Carbon Markets Project in Uganda implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) together with the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre (RCC) Kampala and the Secretariat of the East African Community (EAC) organized a Pre-COP24 Negotiators Forum for Eastern African countries (30th Oct – 1st Nov 2018, Nairobi, Kenya). The discussions focused on carbon pricing and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The workshop brought together more than 40 public and private sector participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burundi, many of whom were experienced negotiators. Presenters at the workshop included Margaret Barihaihi from the NDC Partnership (NDCP) who gave insights on the support opportunities for NDC implementation; Olufunso Somorin from the African Development Bank (AfDB) who presented on the NDC Hub, an initiative by the bank to support African countries in the achievement of their NDC targets; and Amy Steen from UNFCCC, who delivered a profound analysis of Art. 6.2, the progress of Paris rulebook towards COP24 and the interlinkages of negotiation streams. Finally yet importantly, Rachel Boti-Douayoua representing the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) as a Co-Chair of the African Workgroup of Carbon Pricing, presented examples of carbon pricing approaches in African countries.

During the forum, participants had the opportunity to enhance their technical capacities on general rules, procedures and processes within UNFCCC negotiations framework as well as analyze and discuss the various textual options that are being negotiated under Art. 6.2, 6.4 and 6.8. To complement the exercise, the interlinkages of Art. 6 and Article 4 on accounting,  as well as Article 13 on transparency were discussed. In addition, with the workshop introduced the position and key concerns of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on matters relating to Article 6. Furthermore, participants had the chance to get a global and regional overview on carbon pricing developments.

As a result of the forum, discussions between the countries that sparked around Article 6 will be used to inform the East African regional consultations on climate change, which are currently taking place under the auspices of the East African Community Secretariat, supported by the GIZ Carbon Markets Project. The outcome of EAC’s regional consultations will then feed into the AGN’s position paper on Article 6 and other climate change related matters during COP24 in Katowice. In relation to carbon pricing, participants showed strong interest but highlighted that there is a need to strengthen their understanding on the topic and how it can be utilized in the context of their countries.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Call for Expressions of Interest to host the BIOPAMA Regional Resource Hub for Biodiversity and Protected Areas in Eastern and Southern Africa

BIOPAMA

Call for Expressions of Interest

to host the BIOPAMA Regional Resource Hub for Biodiversity and Protected Areas in Eastern and Southern Africa

BIOPAMA is seeking a suitable host organisation for the BIOPAMA Regional Resource Hub for Biodiversity and Protected Areas in Eastern and Southern Africa. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, regionally active organisation that shares the mission of BIOPAMA and is interested in becoming part of, and helping to shape, the development of the Regional Resource Hub and supporting the delivery of its core functions.

BIOPAMA is a collaborative programme that aims to improve the long-term conservation of biodiversity in Eastern and Southern Africa by promoting the use of the best available science and knowledge and building capacity to strengthen policy and decision-making on biodiversity conservation and protected areas management and governance (terrestrial and marine). Towards this aim, the Regional Resource Hub is being established to enable the provision of relevant information and decision-support tools, to promote and facilitate exchange of information with a variety of end users (esp. decision-makers and protected area managers and practitioners).  It is also intended to facilitate capacity development, as well as the exchange and improvement of knowledge about biodiversity conservation and protected area issues and responses.

The objective of this call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) is to identify organisations in the region that have an interest in hosting the Regional Resource Hub and that share the vision of BIOPAMA for Eastern and Southern Africa.  IUCN and EC-JRC (European Commission Joint Research Centre) will use the submissions as a basis for selecting a host organisation and for negotiating a hosting agreement for the establishment and implementation of the Regional Resource Hub.

The hosting arrangement will be formalised through the conclusion of an Agreement between IUCN and the hosting organisation, initially for two years with potential to extend this into a second phase based on an evaluation of progress in the first two years. 

Expressions of Interest should be submitted by midnight (Pretoria, South Africa time) on Sunday, 25th November 2018

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Hon. Keriako Tobiko, CBS, SC., Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Nairobi, Kenya;

Ministerial Session of the 6th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources Management called off in Arusha

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 28th September, 2018: The Ministerial Session of the 6th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources Management (6th SCENR) was today called off due to lack of quorum at the EAC Headquarters.

The Rules of Procedure for the Council of Ministers provide that quorum of the meeting of the Council is all Partner States’ representation. The representation at the Ministerial Session of the Council requires a Minister or Ministers designated by that Partner State. 

When the meeting convened at the Ministerial level to receive the Report of the Coordination Committee this afternoon, it was realized that there were no Ministers from some Partner States to attend the Meeting hence the call off. The Secretariat is consulting with the Partner States on when to convene the Ministerial Session either by video conferencing or face to face meeting.

The objective of the 6th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources Management was to review progress and provide policy guidance on the implementation of Environment and Natural Resource Management matters within the Community.

The meeting was specifically to consider the implementation status of previous Decisions and Directives of the Sectoral Councils/Councils on the environment and natural resources management; Policy, Legal and Institutional Frameworks matters including the Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources Management.

Also on the agenda was the Terrestrial Ecosystems matters; Aquatic Ecosystems matters; Pollution Control matters; Climate Change matters; and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management matters.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Call for Abstracts: Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) International Conference 2018

Screen Shot 2018 04 10 at 14.56.12

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

RCMRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2018

THEME: "Space Science for Sustainable Development"

15 - 17 AUGUST 2018, NAIROBI, KENYA

Audience

Regional Centre for Mapping of Resource for Development, mandated to promote sustainable development in the member States through generation, application and dissemination of geo-information and allied ICT technologies, products and service covering entire range of goals as stipulated in the sustainable development goals.

We are offering with a splendid chance to present your work to an international audience. The presenters can be professionals and practitioners in the public and private sectors including academicians, surveyors, engineers, researchers, scientists, planners, policy makers, utility data providers, analyst working in industries, universities and research organizations who have common interest of engaging geo-information and communication technologies in meeting their operational and business goals,

We invite abstracts in any of thematic areas, displayed on the right, indicating which sustainable development goal your work is addressing.

Call for Papers

Papers are invited on the wide range of topics as outlined. Presenters should submit an abstract of not more than 500 words in length with a maximum of five keywords, which includes the following items:

  • Title of the paper
  • Author's name (s) and affiliation
  • Email contact address
  • Keywords and the abstract content

Note: The contents of the abstract should clearly state the objectives, methodology, results and conclusions of the work described in the final paper. Final acceptance will be issued based on the compressed full length paper.

Kindly refer to the abstract guidelines document

Paper Submission

It is important that all submitted papers focus on the conference theme and topics. Other related topics can be proposed, but it is suggested to contact the organizing committee beforehand. All papers are to be submitted through the following e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract Presentation Guidelines

The extended abstract should be limited to 500 words in length describing the objectives, results, conclusions and significance of your work (relevant artwork can be embedded). Posters can also be presented during the conference based on the acceptance of the extended abstract. Submission deadline is 30th April 2018.

Building Enviroment and Natural Resources Management Resilience in East Africa

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 2nd March, 2018:

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat in collaboration with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), held Regional Learning Event and Investors Forum/Donors Roundtable on Environment and Natural Resources Management under the theme: Building Resilience in East Africa: Bridging the Gaps in Policy & Practice at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.                                                                                                       

The forum showcased the EAC’s regional priority programs in environment and natural resources management including climate change adaptation; biodiversity conservation; water, sanitation and hygiene; and transboundary water resources management.

The forum brought together regional and national practitioners, policy makers, researchers, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, regional intergovernmental organizations, private sector representatives and development partners from the EAC region. Participants explored these themes with objective of stimulating concrete and practical actions that will impact the most vulnerable ecosystems and societies

Addressing the forum Forum/Donors Roundtable the EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko commended the fundamental support from USAID extended towards different sectors including Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Energy, Health and institutional strengthening.

He said for the last 5 years EAC has been collaborating with USAID through different projects and programs including the Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research and Economic Development (PREPARED)

I would wish to emphasize that sustainability and scaling up of PREPARED achievements is very key and is one of the reasons why we are gathered here today’’

On his part, Mr. Brad Arsenault, Deputy Chief, USAID Kenya and East Africa said the U.S. Government, through USAID, focuses on the sustainable management of the region’s rich natural resources as a driver for socio-economic growth and sustainable development. Our joint commitment to managing natural resources is critical," explained USAID’s Acting Director.

Mr. Brad pledged USAID’s commitment to support the strong strategic leadership by the EAC and maintaining the collaborative management structures to ensure the management and conservation of transboundary natural resources.

Notes to Editors

 ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

 USAID’s PREPARED program is implemented by six regional partners including the EAC, LVBC, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC), Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and Tetra Tech ARD. The program seeks to mainstream climate-resilient development planning and program implementation into regional and national development agendas.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

A group photo opportunity during the opening of the Regional Learning Event and Investor Forum on Environment and Natural Resources Management

Regional Learning and Investor Forum on Environment and Natural Resources Management Opens in Arusha

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 1st  March , 2018:​ 

A Regional Learning Event and Investor Forum on Environment and Natural Resources Management under the theme Building resilience in East Africa: Bridging the Gaps in Policy and Practice is underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The two-day forum being organized by the East African Community Secretariat in collaboration with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) with the financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides an interactive space to promote networking, stimulate actions, and facilitate experiential learning that supports resilience, linking local level initiatives with those at regional and national levels.

The overall objective of the event is to showcase EAC priority programs in Environment and Natural Resources on climate change; biodiversity conservation; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); and transboundary water resources management.

Reading the speech of the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko during the official opening session,  the Director of Productive Sector, at the EAC Secretariat, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana said the Community is facing numerous environmental challenges that undermine regional efforts in improving the quality of life of citizens and attaining sustainable development objectives.Some of those challenges are but not limited to: pollution, desertification, deterioration of aquatic and fresh water ecosystems, disasters, climate change and serious biodiversity losses.

Mr. Havugimana disclosed that at the regional level, the EAC Secretariat and Lake LVBC have been implementing a good number of projects and programmes with a view to conserving and protecting the region’s environment and natural capital against all forms of pollution and degradation arising from sustainable natural events (extreme weather conditions for example: EL NINO and LA NINA) as well as human induced disasters and developmental activities.

He  said  for the region to build on the momentum of work that has been carried out particularly in the last five years under the USAID/KEA funded PREPARED Program, there is a need for a critical assessment of the  past performances, draw lessons and identify offered opportunities to stimulate future actions that can allow achievement of quick wins and facilitate pragmatic learning that supports resilience, linking local level initiatives with those at regional and national levels.

At the same occasion, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission in charge of Programmes and Projects, Mr Telly Eugene Muramila said the region is facing a number of environmental challenges similar to the other blocs and to mention one challenge – is the increasing demand for water, driven by population pressure, rapid industrialization, and agricultural intensification.

Mr, Muramila, who was speaking on behalf of Dr. Ali Said Matano, the Executive Secretary of LVBC, informed the participants  at the forum that PREPARED Program with other Partners in the region since 2012 has been addressing so many environmental challenges on climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which are high priorities for both the US Government and the EAC.

He further explained that over the past five years, LVBC and PREPARED have worked to enhance the resiliency of institutions in East Africa to provide water, supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. “To achieve this goal, the PREPARED Program focused on improving the quality of service delivery among water utilities and reducing non-revenue water (NRW) rates”, added Mr Muramila.

On his part, Mr. Brad Arsenault, Deputy Chief, USAID Kenya and East Africa pledged the commitment of the United States Government to continue supporting East African-led strategic priorities for biodiversity conservation, water resource management, and combatting wildlife trafficking.

He however, called for the Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research and Economic Development, better known as PREPARED.

The two-day forum is characterized by plenary and keynote sessions, thematic discussions, and practitioner exhibitions.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified

( L-R) The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon Jesca Eriyo,  Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Katarina Rangnitt, Minister of Water and Environment from Uganda,  Hon Sam Mangusho Cheptoris and Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector ,Hon Christophe Bazivamo

EAC, Sweden Exhibition on Climate Change concludes in Arusha

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania,9th February, 2018:​ 

Between 5th -9th February, 2018, an exhibition “Facing the Climate” has been show-casing at the lobby of the East African Community (EAC) Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The exhibition coincided with the 5th Sectorial Council on Environment and Natural Resources.

The exhibition is developed by the Swedish Institute, produced by the Embassy of Sweden in Dar es Salaam and Buni Media, curated by renowned cartoonists Victor Ndula (Kenya) and Magnus Bard (Sweden) in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat.

Today at the official closing  ceremony, H.E. Katarina Rangnitt, the Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania, said to create a sustainable future we need ambitious and sustainable climate, energy and environment policies. You are  here today as policy makers that have the power to create change. Just like East African and Swedish cartoonists have worked together for the “Facing the Climate”-exhibition, added Amb Rangnitt.

I encourage all of us to do the same. Climate change is a global problem which we can only solve together. Sweden is ready to do her part, let’s join hands and lead the way’’

On his part, the Chair of the EAC Sectorial Council on Environment and Natural Resources and Minister of Water and Environment from Uganda,  Hon Sam Mangusho Cheptoris commended the good work done by the Swedish Embassy in Tanzania by raising climate change awareness through the art of cartoonists.

He disclosed to the participants that the EAC like other sub regions in Africa is facing numerous climate change challenges that affect region efforts to achieve integration agenda. 

Hon Cheptoris informed the meeting that the East African Community among others developed EAC Climate Change Policy and Strategy and the Climate Change Master Plan (2011-2031) to face climate change challenges that affect regional.

One of the Tanzanian cartoonists, Dr. Meddy Jumanne, shared his view on the issue and what inspired him to be a cartoonist. Edgar Tarimo who won the Children’s Climate Price 2017, presented his invention of turning plastic bottles in to building bricks which is quite impressive given that he is only 17 years old.

The idea of the cartoon exhibition was initiated to coincide with the 2009 United Nations Copenhagen Climate Change Conference when 25 Nordic cartoonists interpreted the subject. Since then Swedish cartoonists have been collaborating with their counterparts from around the world to offer amusing and alarming views on climate change issues from different local perspectives.

The exhibition has been shown in over 30 countries and attracted more than 450,000 visitors since it was initiated. The exhibition is constantly growing as new countries participate with each new year.

The exhibition has now reached East Africa and features both Swedish and East African cartoonists. Tanzanian cartoonists who participated at the exhibition were are Fedeliko, Popa Matumula, Sammi Mwamkinga, Dr Meddy and Christopher Nyiti.

Using the power of humour and satire, these cartoonists invite the public to reflect upon the challenges of climate change and encourage responsible actions. It is a topic that mankind cannot afford to ignore, either in Northern Europe or East Africa.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Ms Hanna Widén
Embassy of Sweden
Tel: 0699 887 997
hanna.widen[at]gov.se

OR

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 2008:9001 Certified

The Chairperson of the 5th Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Mugabi Stephen David, speaking at the opening session of the meeting. With him are, from left, Mr. Jean Kizito of the Rwanda High Commission; Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, and; Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, Director Productive Sectors at the EAC Secretariat.

5th Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources begins in Arusha

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th February, 2018:

The 5th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Environment started today at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The five-day meeting started with the Session of Senior Officials which will run from 5th – 7th February, 2018 followed by the Session of Permanent/Principal Secretaries/Undersecretaries which will take place on 8th February, 2018. The meeting will conclude with the Session of Ministerial or Cabinet Secretaries on Friday, 9th February, 2018.

Among the items on the agenda are the: Consideration of the Implementation Status of the previous Sectoral Councils and Councils Decisions and Directives on Environment and Natural Resources; Consideration of Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework Matters; Consideration of Terrestrial Ecosystems Matters, and; Consideration of Aquatic Ecosystems Matters.

Also on the agenda are the: Consideration of Climate Change Issues; Consideration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Matters; Consideration of Pollution Control Issues, and; Consideration of Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization Initiatives.

Speaking during the opening session of the meeting, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, said that the East African region was facing numerous environmental challenges that undermine efforts to improve the quality of life of citizens and attainment of sustainable developments objectives.

“Pollution, desertification, deterioration of aquatic and fresh water ecosystems, climate change and biodiversity loss have always been mentioned as the major ones,” said Hon. Bazivamo.

Hon. Bazivamo said that various initiatives in response to environmental challenges had implemented at the regional, national and local levels.

“At the regional level, the EAC Secretariat has been implementing environmental programmes in line with Chapters 15, 19 and 20 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC. In this regard, a number of projects and programmes have been implemented in the region with the view of conserving and protecting the region’s environment and natural resources against all forms of pollution and degradation arising from developmental activities,” added the DSG.

Hon. Bazivamo noted that the effective natural resources management had been given a high priority in the EAC Vision 2050.

“As well spelt out in the 5th EAC Development Plan, this action will include, among others, programmes that will bear tangible impact to the livelihood of the people of the EAC such as sustainably protecting water bodies, water catchment areas and wet lands, and provision of water in arid and semi-arid areas of the EAC region, raising awareness of the importance of the shared water resources, promote climate change resilient crops, animals and fisheries,” said Hon. Bazivamo.

Other programmes include promoting planting of trees with high economic value to protect water in lakes, rivers and wetlands and water catchment areas, and to strengthen the capacity of local communities and governments to reduce and manage disaster risks.

The Session of Senior Officials which brings together delegates from all the six EAC Partner States is being chaired by Mr. Mugabi Stephen David, the Commissioner of Environment Sectors Support Services, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 2008:9001 Certified

EAC Secretariat taking part in the 23rd Session of Conference of Parties (COP23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany

EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 12th November, 2017:

The East African Community Secretariat is taking part in the ongoing 23rd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 13th Meeting of Parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP13) and the 2nd Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, that is taking place from 6th - 17th November, 2017 in Bonn, Germany. 

The COP 23 is being organized by Fiji and hosted at the headquarters of the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany, with the aim of launching nations towards the next level of ambition needed to tackle global warming and put the world on a safer and more prosperous development path. The Conference, coming just two years after the landmark adoption of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, is expected to fuel momentum among cities, states, regions, territories, business and civil society in support of national climate action plans, the internationally-agreed temperature goal and the wider objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The EAC Secretariat has an observer status to UNFCCC processes and is participating in the several COP 23 sessions and is showcasing the milestones, achievements and lessons learned from the implementation of climate change programmes in the region.

As part of the preparations for the forthcoming conference and with financial support from the US Government, the EAC Secretariat organized and facilitated national and regional climate change consultative meetings. The national and regional consultations were undertaken from 12th to 31st October, 2017 with a view to identify national climate change priorities that would inform development of the regional position paper to guide negotiations.

The national consultations devised measures for realization of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and aligned Partner States’ priorities to the EAC roadmap for implementation of the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with GiZ (Uganda) organized and facilitated advocacy and capacity building workshops for the regional Climate Negotiators on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement as part of pre-COP 23 preparations.

EAC Secretariat participation is an opportunity for the EAC delegation to share experiences, success stories and best practices in implementing its Vision 2050, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Beside the official side events and other events coordinated by the UNFCCC Secretariat, Parties and observer organizations are organizing their own events relating to the climate change negotiation process in different Pavilions and outside the conference premises.

The EAC Secretariat will take this opportunity to engage in bilateral discussions with new and existing Development Partners to assist in implementing the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 2008:9001 Certified

Floods and Conflicts the major cause of Disasters in East Africa

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 14th October, 2017:

Floods, landslides, drought and conflicts are some of the major factors that trigger disasters that cause people to flee from their homes within the East African Community.

EAC Deputy Secretary General (DSG) in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo, said that East Africans also move into areas prone to natural hazards, particularly urban centres on floodplains, rivers exposed to floods and along coastlines exposed to cyclones and storms.

Hon. Eriyo said that many East Africans remained vulnerable to natural hazards due to factors associated with poverty including lack of knowledge, technology to adapt or to be adequately prepared for disasters.

“Environmental degradation, growing human populations, unsustainable exploitation of environmental resources and poor land use planning are the other predisposing factors. The region is equally predisposed to manmade disasters such as urban fires, water pollution, HIV and AIDS and outbreaks of disease epidemics,” said the DSG.

Hon. Eriyo said that most of the affected populations were generally poor and unable to pay for more secure pieces of land and build stronger houses.

The DSG disclosed that data on displacement in the EAC region indicates that internally displaced populations were on the rise with South Sudan leading with 281,000 people, Kenya 40,000, Tanzania 38,000 and Uganda 23,000, adding that there were no statistics for Burundi and Rwanda.

“Research shows that the impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and environmental degradation will increase displacement risk further. All these occurrences continue to remind us of the potentially harmful effects of global warming and the need to adopt an ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction Approach,” said Hon. Eriyo.

She cited the ongoing drought in the Greater Horn of Africa region, the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit North West Tanzania, the Mount Elgon landslide as some of the recent disasters whose impacts were still being felt in the region.

Hon. Eriyo was speaking when she presided over an occasion to mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

She said EAC Partner States had switched emphasis from managing disasters to managing disaster risks as outlined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) – a global instrument adopted in Sendai, Japan in 2015.

The SFDRR is framework is a disaster response mechanism with a two-pronged strategy to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): reducing disaster mortality and reducing the numbers of people affected by disasters.

“The EAC has made positive moves in integrating DRR into its policies and programmes. In addressing disasters, Partner States have established DRR comprehensive policy frameworks, enacted several legislations and formed DRR platforms that guide interventions in DRR,” she said.

She said the EAC had developed DRR institutions and instruments including the EAC DRR Strategy, adding that the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Act that was recently passed by the East African Legislative Assembly had provisions for displaced persons among other things.

“The EAC has established Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit that will be supervised director by the Secretary General. The Unit will play a key role in the implementation of the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction Act and the implementation of the Sendai Framework in the region,” said Ms. Eriyo.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.


East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org  |  sgoffice@eachq.org