The Assembly has this afternoon urged the EAC Council of Ministers to enhance its Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism to enable full implementation of the Council decisions, the recommendations of the Assembly and those of the Audit and Risk Committee.
The Assembly this afternoon debated and adopted the Report of the Committee on Accounts on its meeting with the Risk and Audit Committee held in Nairobi on November 13-16, 2016. it further directed EAC Secretariat to allocate adequate resources to enable the Audit and Risk Committee timely and effectively execute its mandate. In addition, the regional legislators want physical monitoring for verification on the reported status of implementation of their decisions and recommendations.
The Committee met the Audit and Risk Committee earlier on this month to forge a working relationship. The Committee on Accounts being an accountability Committee and an arm of the Assembly as an oversight organ, would work with the Audit and Risk Committee, just like it works with the Audit Commission. The roles of the two Committees are almost similar despite performance in different capacities with different reporting structures.
The report tabled before the Assembly, calls for establishment of an EAC Projects Co-ordination Unit. At the same time, it wants the EAC to convene a tripartite meeting of the EAC Secretariat, EAC Council of Ministers and the Revenue Authorities in all Partner States, to forge a lasting solution on the matter of Value added Taxation (VAT) on goods purchased by the Community. This is pegged on the fact that the EAC needs a conclusive Headquarters Agreement that enables the bloc to enjoy all privileges. The report also calls stringent procurement of goods and services.
“There have been irregularities in the procurement of goods and services in contravention of Financial Rules and Regulations (2012) and EAC Procurement Policies and Procedures Manual (2011)”, a section of the report says.
It thus calls for better management of the processes including adherence to approved thresholds and quorum. On the accounting function at EAC, the Assembly calls on the Council of Ministers to ensure financial transactions are accurately and timely posted in the financial information system. It therefore suggests EAC Management need to enhance capabilities of finance and internal audit staff; and that the Directorate of Finance needs to render its supervisory role over the accountants.
The Audit and Risk Committee informed the meeting that some achievements have so far been registered including improvements of linkages between the Internal Audit function and the Council of Ministers. This is resultant of Internal Audit reports which are now regularly reviewed by the Audit and Risk Committee and tabled to Council annually. The Audit and Risk Committee has likewise played a key role in assisting Council of Ministers in analyzing and making recommendations on matters of governance, accountability and effective use of the Community’s resources.
Some levels of success have also been realized in establishment of internal audit functions. At the moment, the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization has established an audit unit headed by a Principal Internal Auditor. In addition, the recommendations from the Audit Commission are now part of the reports of the Council of Ministers enabling them to monitor implementation through the existing EAC Monitoring & Evaluation framework.
During debate, Hon Shyrose Bhanji called for immediate actions to end irregularities in Organs and Institutions.
“We need to give positive impressions to East Africans and end the recurrent malpractices so that we deliver on the objectives and programmes of the Community”, she said.
Hon Mumbi Ngaru informed the House that the Audit and Risk Committee has consistently made raised similar issues in the past and that the Council of Ministers needs to take the recommendations seriously.
“Perhaps the few times that the Council meets each year is not sufficient to deal with the gravity of matters within the Community. May be the Chair of Council of Ministers should permanently reside in Arusha to streamline the activities of the Community”, she said.
Hon Bernard Mulengani urged the Council of Ministers to strive to implement the recommendations of the Assembly and further asked for consistency in the implementation of the same.
On her part, Hon Nancy Abisai cited underutilization of budget funds, unrealistic project budgeting and late disbursement of funds as major challenges at EAC.
EAC Secretary General, Amb Hon Liberat Mfumukeko, assured the August House that all recommendations would be implemented despite the challenges. He further remarked there was renewed confidence within the Development Partners and that the bloc had already received about USD 300 Million for various programmes in this Financial Year.
Other Members who contributed in support of the Report were Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon Mike Sebalu and Hon Dora Byamukama. Others were Hon Adam Kimbisa, Hon Taslima Twaha, Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza and the Chair of Council of Ministers, Hon Dr Susan Kolimba.
Over the next week, the Assembly is expected to deliberate on a number of reports from various Committees. It shall also debate and enact the Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016.
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to address the House on Tuesday, November 29th, 2016.
FIRST EAKC KISWAHILI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Call for Abstracts CALL FOR
Theme:
TRANSFORMING THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY THROUGH KISWAHILI
Sub-Themes:
Include, but not limited to, the following:
Kiswahili, Regional Integration and Development.
Kiswahili and access to resources.
Kiswahili, Literacy and Health.
Kiswahili, Trade and Business.
Kiswahili, Education and Change.
Kiswahili, Politics and Democracy.
Kiswahili, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Kiswahili, Environment and Climate Change.
Kiswahili, Media and Public Spaces.
Kiswahili, Globalization and Partnerships.
Venue:
Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania.
Conference Dates:
6th-8th September, 2017.
Excursion:
9th September, 2017.
Synopsis:
The First EAKC International Conference will mobilize policy makers and practitioners, development partners, the media, scholars and other Kiswahili stakeholders into creative thinking on how the East African Community (EAC) can grow and change by adopting and implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so as to survive and thrive in an ever- changing environment characterized by innovation and transformation.
Creative, innovative and transformative development and use of Kiswahili have the potential for enhancing relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to tackle the challenges that come with SDGs.
The SDGs provide Kiswahili with a huge opportunity to help in solving development challenges facing the EAC. The Conference is premised in the logic that the post-2015 development agenda is going to shape policies, programmes and projects worldwide for the next 15 years.
Each and every SDG and target provides an opportunity for Kiswahili support communication. The goals and targets present great avenues for Kiswahili to demonstrate shared value while contributing towards local, national and regional sustainable growth.
The goal of the Conference is to discuss how the development and use of Kiswahili can stimulate new ideas, solve problems, and implement solutions to challenges of sustainable development in the EAC.
It is hoped that Conference participants will redefine the challenges and opportunities that come with SDGs, come up with new, innovative responses and solutions, and take action.
The Conference will not only help Partner States create better solutions to SDGs, but will engender a positive experience that will help speed up their adoption.
The EAC Climate Change Adaptation Specialist, Mr. Dismas Mwikila has said that all the EAC Partner States have signed the Paris Agreement and that they were at different stages in the ratification processes. He said what was needed now was to review climate change policy documents to accommodate the outcomes of the ongoing 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place in Bab Ighli in Marrakech, Morocco.
The Climate Change Adaptation Specialist, who was making a presentation on EAC Road Map for Implementation of the key Resolution of the Paris Agreement (PA) at a side event organized by the EAC and Partners at the Climate Change Conference, said there was need to make adequate preparations for effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Mr. Mwikila disclosed that the EAC Secretariat had developed a road map to implement key resolution of the Paris Agreement and that the road map had several elements that include; showing how to approach the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation; and translation of the Paris Agreement into concrete steps for the Partner States; and how to take the work forward.
He said the implementation of the road map would involve several interventions, including, among others, identification of the resolutions of the Paris Agreement which are more relevant to the EAC Partner States; assisting policy makers in Partner States dealing with climate change in internalizing the Paris Agreement to come up with country specific implementation framework; identification of common actions across NDCs and develop NDCs Implementation Plans; review of the EAC’s existing Regional Climate Change Policy (2011), Climate Change Strategy (2011/12-2015/16) and Climate Change Master Plan (2013-2033) to mainstream the Paris Agreement.
He noted that there will be need to support the capitalization of the EAC Climate Change Funds through pioneering the accreditation as Regional Implementing Entity (RIE) under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund (AF); and support Partner States to develop capacities for accreditation of their NIE; as well as support Partner States to develop credible projects that may attract funds from AF and GCF.
Other interventions include; promoting the continental climate resilient and low carbon development initiatives such as the Climate Smart Agriculture; promoting the African Adaptation and Loss and Damage Initiative; and lastly; promoting renewable energy and other sustainable development initiatives in a bid to attain global goal of reducing Green House Gas Emissions (GHGEs).
The EAC Climate Change Adaptation Specialist affirmed that implementation of the Paris Agreement must be guided by the principles and objectives of the Convention and that Developed countries should provide adequate, direct and predictable funding to enable Least Developed and Developing Countries to implement their NDCs. There is also the need for Partner States to ensure adequate stakeholders involvement in the implementation of Paris Agreement.
At the same side-event, the Programme Manager, Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Mr. Ali Raza Rizvi highlighted key issues on Ecosystem management and affirmed that IUCN promotes the use of diversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall climate adaptation strategy both at the policy and practice level. He said ecosystem-based adaptation involves a wide range of ecosystem management activities to increase resilience and reduce the vulnerability of people and the environment to climate change.
Addressing climate change impact on water in the EAC region, the Environment and Natural Resources Officer at the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Mr. Fredrick Mngube outlined some of the water climate change adaptation initiatives that have been put in place in the region. They include water catchments management, water allocation plans, wastewater management, sanitation and hygiene management.
Mr. Mngube reiterated that limited resources and technical support; and population increase by human, wildlife, and livestock were the key challenges the region was facing in addressing adaptation to climate change.
In another side-event organized by the EAC and Partners on Tuesday, 15 November 2016, themed Climate Smart Agriculture, Disaster Risk Management and Mitigation Actions in the EAC Region, the East African Community showcased Climate Change Initiatives sharing with participants, achievements and lessons learnt from Climate Smart Agriculture, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and Climate Change Mitigation Initiatives.
At the side-event, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo highlighted the region’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management, while the EAC Agricultural Specialist, Mr. David Wafula, discussed the Climate Smart Agriculture in the context of Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Progranmme (CAADP) Agenda. Ms Ritah Rukundo, the Technical Officer at the Regional Collaboration Centre of the GiZ, UNFCCC and EADB based in Kampala, Uganda, addressed the Green House Gas Emissions and the EAC.
Meanwhile, the official opening of the high-level segment of the United Nations Climate Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, (COP 22) took place on 15th November 2016 officiated by the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon, during which world leaders showed strong support for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Mr. Ban said that the United Nations will help countries implement the Paris Agreement and he called on developed countries to honour their commitment to mobilize climate finance – $100 billion by 2020 to help developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate vulnerability.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) holds its sitting in Nairobi, Kenya, next week. The third Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Third Assembly takes place from Monday, November 21st, 2016 to Thursday, December 1st, 2016.
The Assembly is to be presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega. Top on the agenda during the two week period is the address by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta expected to be delivered at a Special Sitting on November 29th, 2016.
The two key Bills on the agenda are the EAC Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016 as well as the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2016.
The EAC Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016 makes provision for gender equality, protection and development in the Community. The Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC in Article 121 recognises the significant contribution that women make towards progress of socio-economic transformation and sustainable growth and the importance of full participation of women and men in the economic and social development of the Partner States.
The EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2016 moved by Hon. Patricia Hajabakiga, aims at providing a legal framework for the preservation of a clean and healthy environment through the prohibition of manufacturing, sale, importation and use of polythene materials. The Bill was re-introduced during the Sitting held in August 2016 in Arusha, Tanzania.
Also to be deliberated on during the two week period are reports from various Committees of the House, including that of the sensitisation activities in the Partner States and a Report on the activity with the EAC Audit and Risk Committee. The Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges on the Oversight activity on Approximation and harmonisation of the National laws in the EAC context and another on procurement of health and group staff insurance shall also be tabled.
The Plenary shall be followed by the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar (Nanyuki Series) held on November 30th – December 2nd, 2016. The Seminar is expected to be attended by legislators from the EAC Partner States’ Parliaments. The Seminar which is the 10th in series since inception, is anchored on the theme: Good Governance and Poverty Reduction in East Africa.
Conceived in 2003, the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar is one of the avenues through which EALA and the National Assemblies of the EAC Partner States interact as per the requirements of Articles 49(2) and 65 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC. The nature of the Nanyuki meetings is rotational with venues in respective Partner States. Nine meetings have so far been held with various themes under the title, “Nanyuki Series”, so named after the venue of the first one held in June 2004.
The forthcoming Seminar is intended to discuss the gap between theory and the realities on the ground in contemporary East Africa as it analyses the correlation between good governance and poverty reduction efforts.
At the end of the Seminar, it is expected that: the interface between governance and poverty reduction focusing on the main anti-poverty reduction strategy in the East Africa Community shall be critically examined and contexualized.
According to analysts, poverty reduction is increasingly becoming a rights-based issue. The international Community has accepted it as a universal agenda through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is being reflected at the national level by the initiation and implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) in many developing countries, including the East African Partner States.
Today, the U.S. Government and the East African Community (EAC) launched a Regional Development Objectives Grant Agreement at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. On behalf of the U.S. Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will contribute approximately $194 million over a five year period to shared development goals, deepening the partnership between the two organizations.
About $30 million will fund institutional strengthening within the EAC Secretariat, while the remainder will support other development partners in their efforts to contribute to the EAC regional integration agenda.
Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy to Tanzania and U.S. Representative to the EAC Virginia Blaser, USAID Mission Director for Kenya and East Africa Karen Freeman, and EAC Secretary General Ambassador Liberát Mfumukeko signed a memorandum of acknowledgment to affirm the agreement.
Chargé Blaser noted the tremendous value of fostering regional cooperation, saying that the United States supports “governments and regional bodies such as the EAC in their collaborative efforts to unlock this region’s full potential for the benefit of its people.”
USAID Mission Director Freeman emphasized the joint achievements of the EAC and USAID over the past two decades. “By simplifying customs and border procedures, we have facilitated faster, more affordable and predictable trade. We have increased investment by facilitating the closure of more international deals, which are expanding local industries and manufacturing.”
Under this agreement, the EAC and the United States will work together to (i) advance regional economic integration, (ii) increase trade and investment between member states and with the United States, (iii) improve the sustainable management of natural resources in the Lake Victoria Basin and Mara River ecosystems, (iv) improve access to integrated health services in border areas and (iv) strengthen the EAC’s organizational leadership.
In his remarks, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko thanked USAID for its continued support to the EAC integration agenda.
Amb. Mfumukeko said that EAC’s partnership with the United States dates back to the Community’s inception.
“The partnership continues to expand and be strengthened through mutual development objectives and funding for programmes such as trade and investment, biodiversity, climate change, agriculture, food security, water supply and sanitation, and institutional support,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General said that the new EAC-USAID Regional Development Objective Grant Agreement (RDOAG) 2016-2021 would deepen integration, improve cross-border risk management and strengthen regional institutions leadership and learning. He added that the RDOAG would support harmonization of policies and standards, and scale up technologies and best practices in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, and environmental and natural resource management.
Other to be supported by the Agreement are climate change, gender, livelihood, population and health threats.
Also present at the ceremony were the Ms. Candace Buzzard, Deputy Director at the USAID Mission and Mr. Charles Njoroge, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo has disclosed that the region is developing a robust climate information network that bridges climate service providers, producers and users.
The process involves partnerships with key stakeholders such as Feminine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET), Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development/SERVIR, IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre, through the support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Taking part in a Panel Discussion in a side event themed Innovative Adaptation: How African Leaders are Tapping State-of-the-Art U.S. Climate Science and Data to build resilience organized by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the US Centre in the ongoing 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place in Bab Ighli in Marrakech, Morocco, Hon Eriyo said EAC is an agricultural economy whereby about 80% of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. “This illustrates how the regional economy is vulnerable to climate change and therefore the need to implement adaptation measure”.
Hon. Eriyo informed the audience on the ongoing climate vulnerability and impacts assessment (VIA) study which seeks to climate proof key productive sectors, promote alternative livelihoods and inform adaptation planning.
The Deputy Secretary General also applauded the USAID Support especially under Feed the Future programme which is implemented in line with agriculture and food security action plan.
She said the USAID supported interventions seek to improve the policy and regulatory environment for agricultural transformation and realization of the EAC regional integration agenda.
The Deputy Secretary General some of the regional challenges in adaptation programming, which include, among others; weak institutional capacity to assess vulnerability and implement climate change adaptation actions, and inadequate data/decision-support tools and frameworks for collaborative adaptation.
Other Panelists included Mr. Issifou Alfari from West Africa’s Agrometeorology, Hydrology, and Meteorology (AGRHYMET) Center; Mr. Birama Diarra from Mali’s National Directorate of Meteorology; and Ms. Fatoumata Nafo-Traore from the International Federation of Red cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Meanwhile the EAC Team at the COP22 in Marrakech led by the Deputy Secretary General, Hon. Jesca Eriyo today held bilateral meetings with several Partners that included the Washington-based Adaptation Fund, and the Swiss-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hon. Eriyo discussed with the Adaptation Fund officials the progress on EAC Accreditation application. She also discussed with the IUCN officials areas of deepening cooperation between the two organizations.
The East African Health Research Journal (EAHRJ) established under the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) of the East African Community (EAC) seeks manuscripts that addresses health issues that are relevant to the East African region.
The EAHRJ will promote and facilitate:
Application of knowledge from research to strengthen national and regional health policy and practice;
Development of human resource capacities and skills;
Exchange and dissemination of health research information; and
Advocacy of evidences generated from health research
We invite manuscripts on all topics on health. The articles can be original, review, or commentaries from experts.
Currently the EAHRC staff are working with Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (USA) to administer the journal, whereby staff from the K4Health Project which publishes the Global Health: Science and Practice Journal (GHSP) provide technical assistance and the use of its systems.
A Technical working-level bilateral meeting was held today between the officials of East African Community and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 12th Meeting of Parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP12) taking place in Bab Ighli in Marrakech, Morocco.
Leading the USAID Team was Mr. John Furlow, the Senior Climate Change Specialist based in Washington, DC, while the EAC Team was led by Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, the Director of Productive Sectors and accompanied by Mr. Ladislaus Kyaruzi, the Principal Environment and Natural Resources Officer who heads the EAC Climate Change Coordination Unit, and other Senior officials.
The EAC and USAID officials discussed the ongoing projects supported by USAID and noted tremendous milestones being recorded for example in the Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research, and Economic Development (PREPARED) project, which has effectively taken root in the region.
Other projects include the Aflatoxin Control Programme and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Programmes meant to ensure high quality agricultural, livestock and fishery products for intra Community trade, regional trade and external trade especially with USA under the AGOA trade facility.
The EAC Director of Productive Sectors, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, noted that the establishment of both the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) and the Project Coordination Committee (PCC) at the EAC Secretariat had greatly enhanced coordination of the various projects being supported by various partners and also improved on accountability, efficiency and value for money.
The EAC Director highlighted the 5 key priority areas for the next one year as follows; continued implementation of the Regional Climate Change Policy, which was adopted by the EAC Policy Organ in 2011; implementation of the tools developed by PREPARED on climate change vulnerability impact and strengthening data availability in the Partner States; implementation of the Anti-poaching and fight against illegal trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products strategy; sustainability of the Climate Change Coordination Unit at the EAC Secretariat; and lastly; implementation of the EAC Roadmap for implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The EAC Director for Productive Sector, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana held bilateral talks on Wednesday 9th November 2016 with the Executive Director of the Geneva-based Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International, Mr. Rashid S. Kaukab on the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 12th Meeting of Parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP12) taking place in Bab Ighli in Marrakech, Morocco.
The two officials explored further areas of cooperation, alongside the EAC Geneva Trade and Climate Change Forum. Currently CUTS runs a bi-monthly forums of East African trade negotiators to support their informed and concerted participation on issues of their interest in World Trade Organization (WTO) debates. Besides CUTS’ technical analysis and on-demand papers, negotiators benefit from country updates providing a snapshot of the current on the ground realities of the issue.
CUTS also intend to establish the EAC Climate Change Forum for regular online meetings of East African Climate Change negotiators. Each meeting will be serviced by a technical paper and country updates. It is intended that once a year, climate negotiators will meet with trade delegates of the EAC Geneva Forum for a Trade and Climate Change Coordination Forum.
Related to this, CUTS International Geneva in collaboration with CUTS ARC Nairobi is initiating a project known as PACT EAC2 that is aimed at building the capacity of individuals, networks, and institutions to identify and promote appropriate policies for climate-aware, trade-oriented, food security-enhancing agro-value-addition in the EAC region
CUTS has also initiated a project that aims at promoting the energy sector and during the talks, the Executive Director offered to look at how they can partner with the EAC towards sustainable energy sectors in the region especially in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The EAC and CUTS officials agreed to build on the discussions held and revitalize the existing collaboration between the two institutions and a standing arrangement made to ensure that among the aforementioned programmes the most relevant to the EAC region are identified and areas of collaboration agreed upon.
The EAC Secretariat has successfully held a joint side-event themed “EAC Climate Change Programmes: Showcasing Success Stories, Lessons Learned, and Future Plans to Achieving Sustainable Development” at the ongoing 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 12th Meeting of Parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP12) at the African Pavilion in Bab Ighli, Marrakech, Morocco.
In collaboration with Partners, the EAC Secretariat showcased the achievements that have been realized in the region in a bid to strengthen resiliency and sustainability of key productive sectors in a wake of climate change.
Welcoming delegates to the side-event, the EAC Director of Productive Sector, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, said the COP22/CMP12 is providing an opportunity for region to re-negotiate and agree on the modality to contribute to Global Emission Reductions through implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He said COP22/CMP12 represents a moment of opportunity for East Africa and Africa as a whole to assert itself in global climate governance and ensure that the implementation of the Paris Agreement are congruent with the continent’s long term sustainable development agenda.
Mr. Havugimana, who is also heading the EAC Technical Team at the COP22, said the EAC Secretariat was greatly honoured to jointly organize the side-event with USAID/PREPARED Project, GIZ, IUCN, UNFCCC and ARCOS. The event focused on the 3 thematic areas, namely; Enhancing Ambition – Pre-2020 Action; any issues that help increase and realize ambition; Promoting Implementation – Methodologies, Showcasing of Climate Action, Global Stock Take; and Providing Support to Developing Countries – Means of Implementation, Replicable Tools and Approaches.
The PREPARED USAID/Kenya and East Africa Technical Advisor, Ms. Emily Massawa highlighted to the delegates the Climate Change Adaptation Component of the Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research, and Economic Development (PREPARED). She disclosed that using participatory tools to plan and implement community adaptation projects, so far they have identified climate change “hot-spots” at community-level, their risks and adaptation strategies. “With communities, we have developed adaptation options and projects and support small scale pilot climate change adaptation projects at community level (17 communities), said the USAID official.
Ms. Emily Massawa reaffirmed the objectives of PREPARED, which include among others, climate change adaptation technical capacity, policy leadership, and action readiness of regional institutions improved; resilient and sustainable management of biologically significant trans-boundary freshwater ecosystems in the East African Community region strengthened; and resilient and sustainable water supply, sanitation, and wastewater treatment services in the Lake Victoria Basin enhanced.
The EAC Renewable Energy Expert, Mr. Turyahabwe Elsam briefed the delegates on the region’s renewable energy resource potential. He said there were great opportunities in the Hydro Power, Geothermal, Biomass, Wind, Solar, and Wave Energy and disclosed that the Region had a policy target to have Renewable Energy contribute 65% of the electricity production.
The EAC Renewable Energy Expert highlighted the existing framework for renewable energy and energy efficiency development and promotion in EAE that include; Regional Strategy on Scaling Up Access to Modern Energy Services and 5 year implementation action plan; Regional Cross Border Electrification Policy; Regional Power Master Plan; and Climate Change Policy and Plan.
He disclosed that the region had robust targets for the regional strategy on scaling up access to modern energy services which include; providing access to modern cooking practices for 50% of the population that currently uses traditional cooking fuel; providing access to reliable electricity for all urban and peri-urban poor; providing access to modern energy services for all schools, clinics, hospitals and community centres; and providing access to mechanical power for productive uses for all communities.
Mr. Turyahabwe briefed the delegates on the establishment of the EAC Centre of Excellence for renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) to compliment and strengthen the ongoing EAC Partner States’ initiatives in the areas of policy and capacity development, knowledge management and raising awareness as well as investment and business promotion.
He highlighted the opportunities in renewable energy and energy efficiency development in EAC for both private and public participation that include, among others, investments in Renewable Energy for Electricity production as there is increased demand for electricity in the region plus a conducive policy regime; joining EAC government, UNIDO and ADA to support EACREEE to be fully operational; investment in solar water heating in the region, an opportunity that is still intact; and preparation of the renewable Energy Master Plan and Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan.
Presenting on the EAC Sustainable Climate Change Finance by 2020, the EAC Principal Environment and Natural Resource Officer (PENRO), Eng. Ladislaus K. Leonidas noted that climate change was one of the most pressing threats to development today and addressing it requires that countries transform their economies and grow in a different way.
He said development planning must integrate climate change issues so that policies and actions across multiple sectors and scales lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce vulnerability to climate shocks and deliver poverty reduction gains.
He argued that countries have new and expanded opportunities to finance climate change actions and that in order to take advantage of these opportunities, however, the right institutional and financial mechanisms must be in place so that resources are directed efficiently toward national climate and development priorities.
On the EAC Climate Finance, Eng. Leonidas said financial resources to implement the Policy was a key element in the implementation of the Climate Change Policy and that substantial funds will be required to support mitigation and adaptation initiatives/programmes. “Sustainable funding shall be mobilized from the development partners including multilateral agencies, bilateral partners and intergovernmental agencies and the private sector. There will also be efforts by Partner States to provide supplementary resources”.
He disclosed that EAC’s climate finance readiness activities includes; application to Adaptation Fund (AF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) for accreditation as a Regional Implementing Entity (RIE); setting and operationalization of the EAC Climate Change Fund and developing a climate change financing sustainability plan; and leading the climate change resource mobilization processes through project design, development and financing.
Meanwhile, addressing the official opening session of the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 12th Meeting of Parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP12), Morocco’s Foreign Minister and newly elected COP22 President Salaheddine Mezouar underscored his country's willingness to host the conference as a demonstration of Africa's commitment as a whole to contribute to global efforts to tackle climate change. “It emphasizes Africa’s desire to take its destiny in hand, to reduce its vulnerability and strengthen its resilience,” he said. The Conference took off just three days after the Paris Climate Change Agreement entered into force.
Addressing the same occasion, the Executive Secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, Ms. Patricia Espinosa underlined 5 key areas in which work needs to be taken forward, namely; finance to allow developing countries to green their economies and build resilience; nationally determined contributions (national climate action plans), which need to be integrated into national policies and investment plans; support for adaptation which needs to be given higher priority; capacity building needs of developing countries, which should be tailored and specific to their needs; and lastly; full engagement of non-party stakeholders from the North and South, as they are central to the global action agenda for transformational change.
