Réseau pour l environnement et le développement durable en Afrique Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa

Transcription

1 REDDA NESDA Réseau pour l environnement et le développement durable en Afrique Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa Contact : /5823 /5826 Adresse : BP 95 Guichet annexe BAD, Abidjan Côte d Ivoire secretariat@redda-nesda.org ou nesda@afdb.org Site Web: Third special session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S- 3) and the UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference - 09 to 12 April 2013.Bonn, Germany and Eleventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 11) April 2013 Bonn, Germany REDDA-NESDA participation report 1

2 3 rd special session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S-3) with the UNCCD 2 nd Scientific Conference and the 11 th session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 11) - 09 to 19 April Bonn, Germany. NESDA as a civil society organization accredited to the Conference of the Parties, has participated in the Third Special Session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S-3) with the UNCCD second Scientific Conference and the Eleventh Session of the Committee for the Review of Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 11) which took place from 9 to 19 April 2013 at the World Conference Center in Bonn, Germany. The theme of this second Scientific Conference was Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. NESDA was represented to these meetings by Ms. Sahon FLAN, Project Officer. NESDA participation was sponsored by UNCCD. 1. Activities carried out prior to the meetings One of the core activities of NESDA is the environmental information sharing. In that context and in order to get contributions from other civil society organizations in the sub-region not participating in the said meetings, NESDA web site has been used to disseminate the information related to the meetings. A link to the UNCCD website enabled to collect all details on the meetings sent by to some members of our network. Thus, NESDA has taken this opportunity to raise awareness about desertification and land degradation issues. NESDA representative perused all documents (meeting Agenda, background documents ) including literature on desertification and regional policy related to building resilience of sub- Saharan arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas in order to actively participate in the different sessions of the meetings 2. Activities carried out during the meetings Third special session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S-3) and the UNCD 2nd Scientific Conference 1- The UNCCD second Scientific Conference theme was the following was Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. This second conference comes after the first scientific conference which was held during the ninth session of CST (CST9) from 22 to 24 September 2009 in Argentina. 2

3 2- Many stakeholders, among research institutions, international organizations, civil society organizations such as NESDA (Network for the Sustainable development in Africa-Côte d Ivoire), ENDA-TM (Environnement Développement-Senegal) and Fundación Agreste (Argentina) participated in the conference. 3- The opening ceremony was held on April 9 at 3:00pm and attended by several personalities including the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology who made the opening speech, acknowledging the entire scientific community for their research work. This speech was followed by the word of the Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja who stressed the need to improve access to data. Lastly, Walter J. Amman, President of Global Risk Forum GRF Davos emphasized the importance of being proactive in combating desertification. 4- NESDA and other civil society organizations actively participated in the conferences through relevant questions, comments and observations during various sessions, namely individual statements made by CSOs representatives, but also a common statement including NESDA contribution. Various aspects of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) were discussed during these sessions, workshops and poster presentations. Among other socio-economic impacts, cost-benefit evaluation of policies and practices addressing DLDD were discussed. The topics covered have enabled to strengthen the scientific basis of the convention. 5- In addition to the official sessions, REDDA-NESDA regularly participated in daily informal meetings including CSOs informal meetings and the CST contact group meetings. This CST contact group meeting was related to the review and evaluation of scientific information provided by Parties in the report. Specially, the CST contact group discussion was focused on the impact indicators of strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3 of the UNCCD ten-year strategy plan and the framework to enhance the implementation of the convention. 6- The afternoon of April 12, the last day of the conference, was devoted to the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) meeting. The objective of this meeting was to analyze progress made in finalizing the impact indicators related to objectives 1, 2 and 3 contained in the UNCCD ten-year strategy document and also the main findings of the 2nd scientific conference. CSOs representatives were allowed to attend this meeting, but as observers. 7- The UNCCD next scientific conference is scheduled for Eleventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 11) 1. The Third special session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S-3) was followed by the Eleventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 11) from 15 th to 19 th April at the same venue. This eleventh session was attended by several representatives of Parties 3

4 including affected countries and Institutions such as EU, UNEP, CBD and representatives of CSOs. 2. CRIC11 sessions were interactive and participatory. This has enabled all participants and stakeholders to share experiences including best practices. 3. On 17 April, NESDA made a statement. It was an advocacy for greater involvement of CSOs in all the activities related to the UNCCD process. NESDA has taken this opportunity to share its experience and to stress the key role of civil society in the DLDD and SLM processes in terms of public education and awareness raising. 4. Many participants including country representatives have pointed out the need and the importance of involving civil society organizations in the DLDD and SLM processes and activities. In that framework, the afternoon of April 17 was devoted to the open dialogue session with Civil Society representatives on the following theme Role of CSOs in mobilizing financial resources to support UNCCD through building partnership between national and international actors. The theme was covered at national and International level through two panels. This open dialogue session provided a good opportunity for sharing civil society organizations experiences with all participants and also expressing their needs in terms of support. 5. During this CRIC 11, diverse issues were addressed through panel discussions, plenary sessions and interactive discussions. The following issues among others were covered: analysis of information related to the objectives 1, 2 and 3 contained in the affected country reports, communication strategy to mobilize action on desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD), alignment of national action programs (NAPs) and implementation in accordance with the strategy, constraints and opportunities of the national evaluation in the framework of the DLDD implementation, best practices. 6. The major recommendations of the civil society including NESDA contributions are listed in the CSOs final statement. Indeed CRIC 11 has been a good opportunity for the civil society organizations to raise problems, needs and concerns of affected rural Communities. The CSOs including NESDA also welcomed the inclusion of traditional knowledge in the UNCCD process.. 7. NESDA representative also attended several side events during CRIC 11 session, including: o The Launch of UNCCD Capacity Building Marketplace, an innovative plateform aimed at collecting and publishing information, events, experiences and opportunities (funds, training, course ) available in the framework of the UNCCD process. The UNCCD Capacity Building marketplace brings needs and possible solutions together, It fill a gap in this area by directly linking demand and supply for all concerned directly or otherwise with the UNCCD process. - NESDA s representative made a relevant comment and participated in a survey related to the said platform. 4

5 o Workshop on «Funding opportunities related to climate change for land management in Africa Les opportunités de financement lié au changement climatique pour la gestion des terres en Afrique», organised by the UNCCD Global Mechanism and the Africa Regional Unit Coordination. o o «Le décryptage du CRIC11», which was organized by the «Institut de la Francophonie pour le Développement durable» of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). 3. Information dissemination activities undertaken by NESDA At sub-regional and regional levels The Information note related to NESDA participation (see the second document attached) in the Third special session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S-3) with the UNCD 2nd Scientific Conference and the Eleventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention was elaborated and shared with NESDA s national focal points, members and partners including the African Development Bank s Quality Assurance and Results Department which is in charge of CSOs and the international Organizations accredited to OIF (Organisation International de la Francophonie). The information note is also available on NESDA s website. At National level: NESDA has taken the opportunity of the ordinary general meeting of FEREADD (Fédération des Réseaux et Associations de l Energie, de l Environnement et du Développement Durable, the national network of CSOs and local organizations active in environment and sustainable development) which was held on May 15 th in Abidjan (Côte d Ivoire) to share the main findings of the CST -3 and CRIC 11 meetings and the UNCD 2nd Scientific conference. This opportunity has also been used to raise awareness by encouraging national and local organizations to initiate specific activities during the World Day to combat Desertification on 17 th May 2013 and hand out postcards made by UNCCD related to the said World day. 5

6 Sharing information at national level with local CSOs during FEREADD s meeting- 15 th May List of CSOs and other organizations which have received the information African Development Bank (Quality Assurance and Results Department which is in charge of CSOs). OING de la Francophonie (International Non-Governmental Organizations of Francophone) - 67 Organizations is accredited to OIF (Francophone International Organization). REDDA-NESDA focal points in the following institutions : o Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE), Senegal o Ministère de l'environnement et des Ressources Forestières, -TOGO o STP/CIGQE- Mali o Agence National de l Environnement, Benin Association Des Volontaires Pour L autopromotion Rurale (AVOLAR), Democratic Republic of Congo Fédération des Réseaux et Association de l Energie, de l Environnement et du Développement Durable (FEREADD), Côte d Ivoire. 6

7 Club des amis de la nature et protection de l environnement, Mauritanie ONG ADDY (Côte d Ivoire) Organisation Centrafricaine Pour La Défense de la Nature, République Centrafricaine Association pour l Environnement et les Sciences et Techniques de l Eau (ASSEST-EAU), Côte d Ivoire Jeunes Volontaires pour l Environnement (JVE), Togo ONG Jeunesse Environnement Démocratie Développement (JEDD), Niger 7

8 Some pictures of the meetings which have been shared with our members, focal points and partners Une vue de la session plénière Quelques représentants de la société civile Une vue des présentations Réunion quotidienne informelle de la société civile Test de porosité sur une Brique fabriqué avec le 8 sable du désert par un scientifique chinois