Intra-ACP GCCA+ ends 2018 with successful COP24, new partnerships and stronger communications

BRUSSELS, 18 December – The Intra-ACP GCCA+ programme used 2018 to bolster its support for the 79 ACP states, culminating with the launch of a report, Climate Ambitions, at the COP24 in Katowice.

The programme has six expected results, and supports countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions to address the impacts of climate change and strengthen their resilience. The programme also promotes dialogue among the regions and other partners.

“Through our dialogue, and technical assistance, we are also supporting ACP countries to implement their NDCs,” says Dr. Pendo Maro, the Team Leader.

Commissioned by the ACP Secretariat, Climate Ambitions provides a comparative overview of ACP NDCs. It focuses on six key areas from mitigation, adaptation to measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV). Warmly welcomed at COP 24, the report finds that ACP countries will need at least USD 2,317 billion to implement their NDCs.

“Our Climate Ambitions report adds value to our mission by identifying processes, patterns, weaknesses, and opportunities on ACP NDCs. From the report and the feedback we received, we learned that ACP countries appreciate and require support on capacity, finance and technology to implement their NDCs,” Dr. Maro said.

PARTNERSHIP WITH UNCDF

In line with its strategy to build collaboration, COP24 also saw the ACP Secretariat announce a new partnership with the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to support NDC implementation in LDCs, SIDS and 79 ACP countries. The announcement was made at a joint event in Katowice with officials from Ivory Coast, Benin, and the UNCDF.

Mr Viwanou Gnassounou, ACP Assistant Secretary General for Sustainable Economic Development and Trade told the audience the two organisations will coordinate their work so that developing countries can access international support more effectively.

The events were given extra impetus by the launch just days ahead of COP24 of a new Intra-ACP GCCA+ website, including a set of success stories, and Twitter feed too.

“These new communication tools are already improving our collaboration with partners and ACP member states,” Dr. Maro says. “We’re excited for 2019 when we expect to communicate much more and to build new partnerships.”