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LUSAKA, ZAMBIA / VIRTUAL  —

The African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) held a significant virtual symposium in April 2024. Titled “ECOSOCC Beyond 20: Redefining the Role of Civil Society in the African Union Ecosystem,” the event served as a key part of the lead-up to their 20th anniversary celebration in July.

The symposium brought together important stakeholders and civil society organization (CSO) representatives from across Africa. It provided a platform for not only reflecting on two decades of impactful contributions by civil society, but also for looking ahead to strengthen future collaborations within the AU. Notably, Council Chairman Mr. Fabien Anthony, highlighted ECOSOCC’s role in facilitating the involvement of African CSOs and the diaspora in AU policy dialogues, thus ensuring a broad spectrum of voices are heard in critical discussions.

Founding principles of the African Union were emphasized by Ms. Fatima Karadja, a former ECOSOCC Deputy Presiding Officer. She underscored the crucial role CSOs play in shaping policy by highlighting that public policies should be derived from the people. Ms. Karadja further stressed the importance of a comprehensive review by ECOSOCC to assess its achievements and challenges, allowing for better targeted objectives in the future.

Many CSO participants then shared their experiences and visions for the future. They discussed the importance of civil society voices in AU decision-making and strategies to amplify policy impact. Mr. Khalid Boudali, the current Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, emphasized the symposium’s role in shaping civil society’s interaction with the AU. He acknowledged the historical resilience and development of CSOs, along with their proactive role in advocacy and policy formation.

Looking to the future

The symposium concluded with a focus on the future. Mr. William Carew, Head of Secretariat, spoke on the centrality of citizen engagement in the development process. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities encountered by ECOSOCC over the past twenty years, he described the symposium as a “golden opportunity” to discuss and devise solutions to enhance civil society engagement with the African Union.

An outcome document will be compiled from the discussions and presented to AU member states before the 20th anniversary celebrations. This document will not only serve as a reference for ongoing reviews of ECOSOCC’s legal framework, but will also encapsulate the valuable deliberations from the symposium. The event solidified ECOSOCC’s dedication to fostering a more prominent role for civil society within the African Union ecosystem.

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND  —

The International Coalition for People of African Descent and the Pan-African Council are hosting a high-level meeting at the Third Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent with the title “Haiti & Resistance to the Imperialist Project as a Reparative Justice Undertaking”.

The Panel will be moderated by Council Ambassador Dr. Chevy Eugene and feature the following distinguished speakers: Mireille Fanon Mendès-France – Pd. Frantz Fanon Foundation; Esther Mamadou – ICPAD Coordinator Europe; Jemima Pierre – Co-Coordinator of Haiti/Americas Team, Black Alliance for Peace and Professor at the Social Justice Institute, University of British Columbia; and, Camille Chalmers – Coordinator for Plateforme Haïtienne pour un Développement Alternatif (PADPA).

This meeting will be held at the UN Palais des Nations, Room XXV, Geneva, Switzerland this Friday, April 19, 2024.

Context: In 2023, the Frantz Fanon Foundation advised on the urgency and necessity of a political solidarity mission to Haiti. Supported by 3 network organisations on the ground, the experts met with civil society actors to show support in the light of this multidimensional crisis that Haiti is going through to address the specificities affecting Afro-descendants. The mission will present the preliminary findings and highlight the voice of the Haitian people: the rejection of foreign interference and the respect for their right to self-determination.

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Media Contact:

Tatiana Mensah
media@panafricancouncil.org

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LUSAKA, ZAMBIA  —

Preliminary Meeting on the 3rd Session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Back to the Roots: A Pan-African Approach in Fostering an African Renaissance

Date: March 25-27, 2024

Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Venue: The Quorum

Implementing partners: International Coalition for People of African Descent (ICPAD), Pan-African Council (PAC), African Union ECOSOCC, Panda Africa (Zambia), Articulación Latinoamericana para el Decenio Afrodescendiente (ALDA), Black and African Diaspora Program (BAFD) – Dalhousie University, Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC), Baobab Centro de Innovación en Justicia Racial, de Género y Ambiental (Colombia), Plateforme Haïtienne de Plaidoyer pour un Développement Alternatif (PAPDA), Frantz Fanon Foundation (Martinique/France).

The aim of the preliminary meeting is to:

• Strengthen and expand ICPAD and its members, that will meet in person or online before each United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent session to create a working plan and identify key objectives as part of civil society contribution;
• Foster knowledge exchange to promote inclusive and holistic policy recommendations and decision-making capabilities;
• Develop an effective grassroots-driven network that has the tools and resources to support people of African descent globally in dealing with human rights violations and dignity.

For more information and to register for the event, kindly visit: http://panafricancouncil.org/LUSAKA2024.

 

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NAIROBI, KENYA  —

This September 4-6, 2023, Council members participated in the 2023 Africa Climate Summit at the The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya with the theme of “Driving climate-positive growth and finance solutions for Africa and the world”.

The Africa Climate Summit 2023 tackled the critical issue of climate change, highlighting Africa’s vulnerability and its potential to be part of the solution. The continent faces severe consequences from climate change, lacking resources to respond fully due to debt burdens. However, Africa boasts vast renewable energy, mineral, and agricultural resources that can contribute significantly to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The summit called for a shift in the narrative, moving beyond the idea of a divided world and emphasizing collaboration for a global solution. Innovative funding mechanisms are proposed to bridge the gap in climate finance. These include targeted taxes on polluting industries, a potential global fossil fuel tax, and exploring a financial transactions tax. A central global fund would be established for efficient allocation of these resources, overseen by an independent body to ensure fairness.

Success in climate action requires everyone’s involvement. Governments and institutions will set the framework with policies. The private sector brings crucial investment and innovation. Philanthropies can help de-risk projects and support new ideas. Civil society ensures that solutions are based in science and hold everyone accountable. Local communities offer invaluable perspectives for sustainable development that meets their needs.

The summit aims to gather ambitious commitments for action from leaders, guided by a comprehensive framework. Key focus areas include increased funding for climate action, targeted allocation of those funds, and a more risk-tolerant approach to financing. Additionally, the summit emphasizes the need for African nations to develop green growth strategies and recognizes the interdependent nature of climate action and economic development. Finally, it calls for optimizing global capital by utilizing Africa’s cost-effective solutions for global emissions reduction.

The Africa Climate Summit 2023 presented a crucial opportunity for a global approach to climate change. By focusing on Africa’s situation and fostering collaboration, ambitious commitments, and innovative funding mechanisms, the summit sought to make significant progress in tackling these critical challenges.

Nairobi Declaration

The African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action highlights the following needs:

On Africa’s Plight and Responsibility:

• African leaders acknowledge climate change as the biggest threat to humanity and acknowledge Africa’s vulnerability despite not being a major contributor.
• They emphasize Africa’s potential for solutions due to its young population, renewable energy resources, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Call to Action for Developed Countries:

• The declaration urges developed nations to fulfill their emission reduction commitments and the promised $100 billion in annual climate finance.
• It calls for a just transition away from fossil fuels while supporting the most vulnerable.

Africa’s Commitments for a Green Future:

• African leaders commit to developing green policies, promoting renewable energy, and protecting nature.
• They emphasize the importance of reskilling the workforce, boosting sustainable agriculture, and collaborating on continental initiatives.

Building Resilience and Partnerships:

• The declaration highlights the need for investment in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and water security.
• It emphasizes partnerships with other regions for knowledge sharing and financial support.

A New Financial Architecture and a United Africa:

• The document calls for reforming the financial system to unlock climate finance for Africa.
• It proposes a new Global Climate Finance Charter and debt relief mechanisms.
• African leaders propose a biennial Africa Climate Summit and emphasize Africa’s contribution to the global fight against climate change.

Click here to download the full Nairobi declaration.

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Media Contact:

Tatiana Mensah
media@panafricancouncil.org

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