Author: Libby MacDuffee, Representing the Fyera Foundation

Notes:

  • Roundtable 1 on “Pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy, and productive capacity development as entry points to Africa’s recovery”
  • Roundtable 2 on “Preparing for COP27 – an “African COP”
  • Roundtable 3 on “Domestic resource mobilization, innovative financing and global partnerships for recovery and progress on the SDGs and Agenda 2063”.

(NOTE: The Opening Remarks and Roundtables began to blend together, so some notes are in order of presentation and others are combinations of items that speakers said and repeated as main points throughout).

Opening Statements & Early Speakers from NGO’s and Nation States:

  • All speakers focused on the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa (contributes 3-4% of carbon emissions, but is subject to about 17% of the impact), and other developing nations, vs the small contribution they have made to global warming and carbon emissions.
  • Many referred back to the meeting in Glasgow earlier this year, which appears to have fallen short of meeting the hopes and goals, and they emphasized the importance of moving from the “development” of solutions to the actual “implementation” of them.
  • Many comments were directed at the hopes for implementations that can be accomplished before, and during, COP 27 in September, 2022, which is being held in Egypt (part of Africa).
  • Praise for the 21 African countries who have presented VNRs already.

Areas of Concern mentioned by almost all speakers in first 2 Roundtables:

  1. While there were prior conditions that created issues in Africa, now climate change, Covid 19 and the war in Ukraine have impacted the continent and caused huge setbacks, and in some cases have reversed recent gains, in the critical areas listed below (with the notable exception of the opinion of the speaker from Russia who said that the war in Ukraine has not contributed to these issues, rather the US illegal sanctions are the cause):
    • Food & water security
    • Poverty
    • Unemployment
    • Lack of access to healthcare
    • Lack of access to energy / electricity and internet – ½ of the continent has no electricity access. Need to focus on sustainable sources of energy w/o reliance on oil and gas (with the notable exception of the speaker from Saudi Arabia who proposed that all forms of energy be utilized, including “low carbon” oil and gas).
    • Financial resources:
      • Commitments made for funding have not been honored by many countries and they need to follow through.
      • There is a huge need for a fairer system for determining interest rates for Africa, based on Africa’s actual ability to pay back, as well as an increase in ability to tap into banks and access other loans.
      • Enhanced accessibility to timely financing.
    • There is a lack of Infrastructure to implement changes.
    • Disproportionate impact on women and youth (70% of the population): empowerment, inclusion and support – women and youth are an untapped resource.
    • Conflicts within African nations and terrorism – forced migration.
    • Weak tax administration – proper taxation would garner more internal revenue.
    • Governmental corruption.
    • Corruption and mismanagement of funds within African countries.
    • Lack of partnerships, collaboration and need for more financing ($3 Trillion needed to implement).
    • Agriculture and irrigation.

Strategies:

  1. Women and youth, who are disproportionately impacted, should be a main focus in the efforts to empower: participation, education and support is critical.
  2. Turn the triple threats of Covid, Ukraine war and Climate Change into opportunities by:
    • Building effective policies for inclusive economies.
    • Establishing infrastructure.
    • Providing accessible education, especially STEM skills.
    • Achieving sustainable energy by using renewable sources with efficient internal management, contributions, and foreign investment.
    • Need a massive focus on green energy development.
    • Need financing for immediate relief due to Covid & war in Ukraine – recognize special needs of Africa: Favorable risk analyses, global accountability, equity, financing for adaptation AND loss & damage, anchoring subsidies in renewable energies rather than fossil fuels.
    • Open access to new markets.
    • Accelerate free trade.
    • Build fair and sustainable internal production and manufacturing.
    • Harness their energy & innovation
  3. Three areas of focus: Adaptation, Mitigation AND Loss and Damage (immediate remediation) goal to reach level of Resilience.
  4. Halt deforestation
  5. Collaboration within and outside Africa, including non-state actors, civil society, NGOs, activists and governments.
  6. Need “just” transitional sustainable pathways with different timelines for developing countries.
  7. Unlock Africa’s natural resources.

Updates on progress made:

  1. Many small advances and impacts have been made, but sadly some of those have moved backwards since Covid and the start of the Ukraine war. This is why there is a call for stepping up “Loss & Damage” assistance for immediate relief. For example: 43 M people have fallen back below the poverty line since 2020 due to lack of jobs, resources, and Covid and other illnesses.
  2. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported very good progress on their initiatives in Africa. They have enhanced the detection of Zoinotic diseases, early detection of cancer, radiologic treatments, and soil and water management through an ”atomic energy plastics initiative”.
  3. The Central African Republic Youth Project has established Youth charters – that map out ways for youth to be meaningfully involved and empowered in their personal and country-wide development.
  4. Global Director for World Bank: Every focus includes climate focus. Sustainability requires international cooperation, renewable energy and financing are becoming “easier” already.
  5. Morocco: Has intensified efforts and created “Great Green Wall” initiatives.
  6. European Investment Bank (owned and operated by 27 European member states): Specialized focus on establishment of global DIB (?) to respond quickly to delivery of resources. They established the first one of these already in Africa. Companies can continue to access financing ex: Vaccines sent to Ruwanda and South Africa.
  7. Russia expressed commitment to Africa re: climate change, and said Africans need to do this themselves. Need to build infrastructure. Russia has established solar plants in Madagascar and is providing fertilizer.
  8. India: We need a net minus goal for climate change to balance developing countries who cannot catch up. India has already achieved their goals 10 years early by immediately implementing effective clean energy remediation measures.
  9. World Food Program: 345 M people in 82 countries are in poverty = 10x more than 5 years ago. Causes : Climate crisis, Covid & war in Ukraine. The 3 Cs:
    • Conflict
    • Cost
    • Climate
      • Sixteen of the countries globally, that have the lowest resilience, are in Africa. We need to strengthen resilience and growth. The WFP is on the ground in collaboration with these countries.
  1. Pakistan: Economies are devastated by pandemic and we must turn to action.
    • Climate finance: Developed countries must immediately fulfill their commitments.
    • There will be a need for increased financing, beyond current commitments, due to backsliding from the 3 C’s.
  2. Italy: Remove obstacles to recognizing Africa’s significant resources. Focus on youth activism, and Italy, along with others have some of these initiatives in play.
  3. Ethiopia calls a collective effort to address poverty and a fair share of financing.
  4. Denmark supports Africa in its disproportionate needs and reiterated that the war in Ukraine HAS impacted SDGs negatively and slowed any progress. They expect to contribute 1% of their GDP, way above required share, and encourage others to do the same because of the enhanced need.
  5. Djibouti: Need investment NOW. They cannot wait for the reduction of emissions goals to be reached. They are taking responsibility and hope others will see Africa not as asking for charity, but offering a good investment opportunity. Collaborating with partners now and would welcome more.
  6. Zambia: Gave an update on some progress.
  7. Cote D’Ivoire: Investing and looking for partners in eco-based solutions. Another call for people to meet their prior commitments.
  8. International Center for Ethno Religious Mediation: Focuses on commonalities instead of differences. Maintaining the earth inspires personal development as well as social and economic development. Need resolution of ethnic conflicts.
  9. UK: Calls for a just energy transition through partnerships. Committed 1 M lbs. to Africa (in addition to original commitment?).
  10. Ghana: Adaptation calls for 1.5% funding and then there is more needed for loss and damage. IPCC needs to develop a special report doubling contributions needed by 2025 from developed countries. Need more access to affordable financing.
  11. Divert International asked: Why do most people in Africa lack electricity? What has prevented from prioritizing solar? Waste – it is prolific throughout Africa. We have the resources and technology, but no uncorrupted management of resources.
  12. ICPap: Has developed and early warning system video for drought, crop destruction, etc. throughout Africa.

Last Roundtable

What are the constraints for Africa?

  • Too narrow a tax base
  • Structural concerns (?)

Challenges & Best Practices – Mobilizing Domestic Resources for SDGs

  1. Ruwanda – Claver Gatete: IMF originally encouraged Ruwanda to use a high tax rate after the genocide, but they decided to have a lower tax rate, put more people to work and encourage internal and external investment. Now 84% of country’s needs are financed domestic resources. They have attained economic stability, productivity and fiscal balance. Government resources are now an incentive for private sector investment. Must start with a productive tax base.
  2. Peace Building Commission: Encourages national ownership (group of member states) to advance peace building. OACDC – double impact and cost effective. Peace is economic security. Peace building and prevention are intertwined with all the SDGs.
  3. UNDP (development program) Ahunna Eziakonwa (speaker):
    • Pandemic has highlighted the importance of global responsibility.
    • We do not need philanthropy, but investment in our connected sustainability.
    • Need to build resilience so that shocks do not devastate – lessen impact.
    • Suggested: “Tax Inspectors without Borders”.
    • Need for Green climate investment in low emission & sustainable solutions w/o increasing debt burden.
    • “De-risk” currently “non-bankable” projects. Need for concessional financing – we must open the doors.
    • Suggestion: Climate dedicated financial institute.
    • Shore up existing organizations and partner with new ones
    • Encouraged green bonds, blue bonds and sustainable development bonds.
    • They have 78 projects currently underway.
  4. Botswana: Ask for regional and global centers for research and care of AIDS and other prominent healthcare issue. SARS & Covid global partnerships needed.
  5. The African Group: Speaker from Eritrea: Peace and security are all intricately connected to the 17 SDGs. Call to preserve their 2nd largest carbon sink.
  6. Portugal – PBC – Portugal Bank (?): Affecting the middle class not just the poverty stricken. It is difficult to send kids back to school and provide lunch and supplies. Need debt restructuring!
  7. China: We should place African countries at the forefront. “Will forgive Africa’s outstanding debt to contribute to peace and development.” Note: Did I hear this correctly? There was no response from other members, but I found this stunning while surmising that it may be to China’s advantage to do this in terms of gaining favorable terms and access to Africa’s resources.
  8. IMF: They have just initiated a “Bright Lights” project with a mission of what they call the “High Fives” – Feed Africa, Improve quality of life, Light up Africa, Tap into local resource & Build Infrastructure. Local governments are critical to this.

NOTE: Many other countries spoke (but not the US), but they were very repetitive of needs and possible solutions.

 

Conclusion: The Secretary General of the UN ended the conference with a strong call to ACTION.