A few weeks before COP26, it is important to take stock of the preparations and equip the key actors to advocate for more ambitious climate action during the upcoming COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.
On September 30 in Abidjan, the Global Green Growth Institute and the Open Society Initiative For West Africa (OSIWA), in partnership with the British and Italy embassies in Abidjan, organized a national forum under the theme: “From Paris to Glasgow: contributions and commitments from civil society organizations,” in alliance with the project: “Empowering Local Non-State Actors and vulnerable communities for climate actions and resilience in Cote D’Ivoire.” This high-level forum was attended by more than 150 participants from various sectors (ministries, the private sector, and NGOs) to take stock of progress ahead of COP26, to ensure the commitment of different stakeholders, in particular, civil society to play the role that is guaranteed by the mechanisms of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The objectives of this Forum were first, to lead the discussion with stakeholders on the challenges of COP26; second, to address the issues of energy, agriculture, forestry as well as cross-cutting issues under discussion at COP26, and encourage participation and contribution of CSOs to COP26 and last, to make a CSO declaration within the framework of COP26.
The ceremony opened with welcoming words from the GGGI Country Representative for Cote d’Ivoire, which was then followed by allocutions by the British Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire and the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development.
Presentations were made by panelists from the British Embassy, Mrs. Carine Jean-Pierre; Mr. Jean Luc Assi Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development; Mrs. Carol Flore, UNDP’s Country Representative in Cote D’Ivoire and M. Emmanuel Debroise AFD Country Director who discussed the major global climate issues on the national and international scale also about the development opportunities of COP26.
The second panel composed of AfDB representant, IFAD Sud Regional Directeur, M. Claude Koutoua President of the E-QHSE Commission of CGECI, and Dr. Assamoi Eric Focal Point of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), who stressed the key role played by the technical and investment partners in supporting CSO’s during COP26 and the challenges and opportunities faced by the Ivorian economy. And last, the third panel constituted of four CSO representatives who discussed the importance of encouraging CSOs’ participation in COP26, meeting their expectations, and driving strategic decision-making.
The ceremony ended with a shared CSO’s declaration within COP26framework. In this declaration, the Ivorian civil society organizations engaged in issues of the fight against climate change.
Dr. Mallé Fofana GGGI Country Representative gave the closing speech and thanked participants for their engagement and general collaboration for making green growth a reality also reassured CSO’s of GGGI support in offering Technical Assistance while working alongside for the success of this process for a national transition to inclusive sustainable green growth.