The Tenth session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) convened in Abidjan September 7, 2024 has called on African leaders to amplify efforts against land degradation, desertification and drought.
This year’s conference, the 10th is held under the theme “Raising Africa’s Ambition to Reduce Land Degradation, Desertification, and Drought”.
The important gathering, which draws attention to the urgent need to address land degradation across Africa, was presided over by the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé, in the presence of several African Ministers of Environment, policymakers, and development partners from across the continent .
Organized in partnership with the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), African Union Commission, African Development Bank, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and other key stakeholders, the Special Session aims to catalyze collective action and elevate the political profile of land degradation, desertification, and drought in Africa.
With 65% of Africa’s land degraded, impacting over 400 million people, this Special Session marks a critical juncture in Africa’s efforts to restore its land resources. Globally, land degradation affects 3.2 billion people, with developing countries disproportionately bearing the burden. In Africa alone, an estimated 4.4 million hectares of productive land are lost to desertification annually, reducing agricultural productivity and contributing to undernourishment for over 68 million people. Moreover, desertification leads to the extinction of approximately 27,000 species each year and costs the global economy 10% of its GDP, with sub-Saharan Africa shouldering 22% of the total cost of land degradation.
In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire, His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé said “There is a disproportion that is very worrying. We must be able to keep ourselves in the loop to provide answers to our concerns, with the global community, which is worried about the very negative impact of climate change on our economic, human and social activities. Some examples show that climate change affects more than 100 million hectares of land every year”.
Among the solutions to fight against degradation of Africa’s land, the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire emphasized the need to adopt circular economy to use our natural resources as little as possible and develop the ability to anticipate meteorological forecasts. He noted that advanced weather- and climate-forecasting tools by Meteorology specialists can help the population prepare for the worst.
In her remarks, the Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist of the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (ECA), Hanan Morsy underscored that climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss are not just environmental issues, they are economic and social challenges that threaten the very fabric of our societies and demand our immediate and united action.
“Climate change is costing African economies up to 15% of GDP annually. Governments are diverting up to 9% of their budgets to cope with extreme weather, while grappling with debt distress, facing difficult trade-offs between climate action and meeting critical development needs, such as health and education”, said Hanan Morsy.
For this end, the Deputy Executive and Chief Economist of ECA suggested that “We act now”.
“Programs like REDD+ (“Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries”), which seeks to reduce emissions from deforestation, are crucial, but we need more”, she added.
Hanan Morsy emphasized ECA’s commitment in supporting Member States in tackling climate change, land degradation and deforestation by harmonizing carbon protocols, enhancing climate finance access, aligning NDCs with the Global goals, and strengthening African climate negotiators.
“The challenges we face are immense, but so are the opportunities for Africa to lead with innovative, sustainable solutions. By leveraging our collective strengths and deepening our collaboration, we can protect our ecosystems, empower our communities, and drive sustainable development. This path forward will require commitment, both in resources, policy, and action”, concluded the Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist of ECA.
The 10th Special Session seeks to renew commitments, raise ambitions, and enhance resilience to the effects of these environmental challenges. By focusing on four key policy areas – strengthening drought mitigation efforts, meeting land degradation neutrality targets, promoting ecosystem restoration, and forging partnerships – the session aims to drive tangible progress.
The outcomes of this Special Session will be presented at the upcoming 16th session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP16), as well as at key African Union forums, including the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change and the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in early 2025.
