STOCKTAKING CONFERENCE on Climate Services for Risk Reduction in West Africa (cs4rra)
International Conference Center, Banjul, The Gambia, 5-6 Nov. 2024, Banjul Time
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Africa, and particularly West Africa, ranks among the region’s most vulnerable to climate change. Rapid urbanization—especially along the coastal zones—has intensified demographic and environmental pressures. By 2035, half of Africa’s population will reside in urban areas (UN), exacerbating migration trends and leaving women to shoulder the burden of climate-related agricultural challenges in rural areas.
The region faces increasingly frequent and severe weather events—droughts, floods, heatwaves, and storms—that degrade natural resources and threaten livelihoods. These events are responsible for 99% of climate-related fatalities and are compounded by human settlement in high-risk zones and low preparedness levels. Agriculture and livestock systems are particularly exposed, facing risks from desertification, pest outbreaks, and erratic rainfall, resulting in chronic poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition.
In the Sahel and surrounding zones, the ongoing regional climate shift is reshaping ecosystems and livelihoods. The impacts vary by landscape, governance structures, and the capacity of institutions and communities to respond. Strengthening regional and local resilience requires robust climate knowledge, effective early warning systems, and inclusive climate services that translate science into action.
Proposed Initiative:
A collaborative 2023–2024 program co-designed with West African partners, structured around three pillars—Knowledge, Innovation, and Capacity Development (KIC)—will bridge African and European expertise:
KIC Framework:
This collaborative effort:
Goals:
This collaborative effort enhances awareness and uptake of climate knowledge for adaptation and disaster risk reduction; identify priority areas for Africa-Europe cooperation in climate resilience and research alignment; and define actionable pathways to boost KIC, support joint calls, and promote innovation partnerships (North-South and South-South). By uniting regional and international stakeholders, this initiative transforms climate challenges into opportunities for equitable, sustainable growth in West Africa.