Climate Diplomacy Academy to Fosters Regional Climate Action and International Cooperation

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), in collaboration with Strathmore University, is taking the initiative to implement a Climate Diplomacy Academy (CDA).

The primary objective of this academy is to build the capacities of young and aspiring climate change diplomats, negotiators, and policymakers from across SSA, with a focus on the critical role of climate diplomacy and international cooperation in climate action.

The 3rd Climate Diplomacy Academy, scheduled for 2023, commenced with a series of online training sessions from April 10th to June 29th.

These sessions brought together 44 beneficiaries from 10 SSA countries. The training was followed by a 3-day CDA conference, held from June 27th to 29th at Strathmore University in Nairobi.

This conference provided participants with a valuable platform to engage with their peers, learn from seasoned experts and negotiators, and establish networks with future diplomats and negotiators in the region.

The conference marked a crucial step in nurturing a significant cohort of young African experts and diplomats equipped with the necessary skills to effectively contribute to regional and global climate diplomacy dialogues, promoting multilateralism and international cooperation in climate action.

During the opening ceremony, Ms. Anja Berretta, Head of the KAS Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change, highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on various aspects of everyday life, including livelihoods, human security, and economic affairs.

She also expressed concern about the polarization witnessed in international climate change negotiations, emphasizing the need for urgent and collaborative action to address the effects of climate change.

Berretta underscored the importance of trainings such as the CDA in building diplomatic skills and fostering consensus-building, crucial elements for achieving the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement.

In line with this sentiment, Prof. Izael Da Silva, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research and Innovation at Strathmore University, emphasized the significance of developing the capacity of young and aspiring climate change diplomats, negotiators, and policymakers from across Sub-Saharan Africa.

He stressed the importance of creating a network of future leaders dedicated to realizing the global climate goals, particularly within the framework of the Paris Agreement.

Da Silva expressed confidence in the expertise and commitment of all participants, along with the guidance provided by distinguished guests and experts, in propelling the region towards a sustainable future built on enhanced regional and international cooperation in climate action.

Dr. Pacifica Achieng, the Director of the Climate Change Directorate at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, also attended the event.

She reiterated the importance of partnerships in fostering Africa’s participation in environmental and climate change negotiations within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a political foundation based in the Federal Republic of Germany, with the primary objective of promoting democratic values and supporting democratic institutions through collaborations with government institutions and relevant civil society organizations. KAS operates over 100 country offices worldwide, including approximately 20 offices in the SSA region.

The KAS Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa, based in Nairobi, focuses on activities at the intersection of energy security and climate change in the SSA region.

Through coordinating activities in the region, the program strives to improve the political and social frameworks for climate-friendly sustainable development, foster regional and international cooperation on energy security, and enhance climate adaptation and mitigation actions in the region.

The program prioritizes raising awareness about the consequences of climate change and the importance of energy security for Africa and Europe, improving the political framework for sustainable energy and climate policies, and advancing knowledge development and transfer on energy security and climate action.

The implementation of the Climate Diplomacy Academy in collaboration with Strathmore University and the engagement of KAS in promoting climate-friendly sustainable development in SSA exemplify concerted efforts to address climate change challenges and facilitate meaningful regional and international cooperation on climate action.