Marrakech, Morocco 18 November, 2016 (ECA) - Heads of State and Government and delegations gathered here for the High-Level Segment of the 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, have sent a strong signal on climate change with the adoption of the Marrakech Action Proclamation for Climate and Sustainable Development. The President of COP22, who is also the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Salaheddine Mezouar introduced the document to the plenary on the evening of 17 November.
The proclamation calls for "the highest political commitment to combat climate change", reinforces the urgency of implementation, action and increased ambition in the fight against rising global temperature rise.
The proclamation acknowledges the global momentum on climate change and underscores the need to speed up the pace in a cooperative and collaborative manner among all stakeholders taking into account the special needs and circumstances of developing countries and the most vulnerable. Developed nations reaffirmed the commitment to mobilize the finance goal of USD $100 billion for developing countries.
The means of implementation, including financing, has been a point of pressure and developed countries have been urged not to ignore their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, which ends in 2020, now that the Paris Agreement had come into existence.
For Africa major issues related to finance include: How to ensure full implementation of existing Convention finance commitments and avoid shifting of responsibility towards the private sector or to developing countries under the new agreement; the need for a clear pathway for finance between now and 2020; and capitalization of the Green Climate Fund and easing access to the funds. In addition, efforts are required to ensure finance to enable the preparation of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions by developing countries.
ECA's Africa Climate Policy Center (ACPC), Acting Coordinator James Murombedzi, said "The commitment of all parties to reducing global warming is acknowledged. However, climate change is a serious and urgent issue for Africa and putting the commitments to action is paramount going forward."
The Marrakech Action Proclamation for Climate and Sustainable Development
“We, Heads of State, Government, and Delegations, gathered in Marrakech, on African soil, for the High-Level Segment of the 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 12th Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, and the 1st Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, at the gracious invitation of His Majesty the King of
Morocco, Mohammed VI, issue this proclamation to signal a shift towards a new era of implementation and action on climate and sustainable development.
Our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented rate and we have an urgent duty to respond.
We welcome the Paris Agreement, adopted under the Convention, its rapid entry into force, with its ambitious goals, its inclusive nature and its reflection of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances, and we affirm our commitment to its full implementation.
Indeed, this year, we have seen extraordinary momentum on climate change worldwide, and in many multilateral fora. This momentum is irreversible – it is being driven not only by governments, but by science, business and global action of all types at all levels.
Our task now is to rapidly build on that momentum, together, moving forward purposefully to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to foster adaptation efforts, thereby benefiting and supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.
We call for the highest political commitment to combat climate change, as a matter of urgent priority. We call for strong solidarity with those countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and underscore the need to support efforts aimed to enhance their adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability.
We call for all Parties to strengthen and support efforts to eradicate poverty, ensure food security and to take stringent action to deal with climate change challenges in agriculture.
We call for urgently raising ambition and strengthening cooperation amongst ourselves to close the gap between current emissions trajectories and the pathway needed to meet the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement.
We call for an increase in the volume, flow and access to finance for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries.
We, the Developed Country Parties, reaffirm our USD $100 billion mobilization goal. We, unanimously, call for further climate action and support, well in advance of 2020, taking into account the specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries, the least developed countries and those particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.
We, who are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, encourage the ratification of the Doha Amendment. We, collectively, call on all non-state actors to join us for immediate and ambitious action and mobilization, building on their important achievements, noting the many initiatives and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action itself, launched in Marrakech.
The transition in our economies required to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement provides a substantial positive opportunity for increased prosperity and sustainable development.
The Marrakech Conference marks an important inflection point in our commitment to bring together the whole international community to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time.
As we now turn towards implementation and action, we reiterate our resolve to inspire solidarity, hope and opportunity for current and future generations.”
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org