Action Against Desertification

GGW side event during 19th session of COP/UNFCCC


20/11/2013

On 20 November 2013, the African Union Commission, European Union, FAO, UNCCD Institutions, the World Bank and the GEF Secretariat are organizing a side event to present the status of implementation of the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative and its contribution to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.

The 19th session of COP/UNFCCC offers an opportunity to inform the international community and African countries on the results achieved so far by the initiative and to discuss the way forward for an increased contribution of the GGWSSI to adaptation and resilience to climate change.

The Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI) is a pan-African programme launched in 2007 by the African Union (AU) to address land degradation and desertification, enhance resilience of local communities to climate change and improve their livelihoods. The vision of a Great Green Wall across Africa is a metaphor that depicts a mosaic of sustainable land uses and community-based land management practices. The Great Green Wall is a game-changer for Africa, with the potential to strengthen local resilience to climate change, preserve rural heritage and improve the livelihoods of local populations.

The GGWSSI is benefiting from the support of various partners. The EU, within the framework of the theme 6 “Climate Change” of the Africa-EU strategic partnership, and in collaboration with several partners, including FAO and the GM, is supporting 13 countries. Furthermore the GEF secretariat and the World Bank are supporting the implementation of the initiative in 12 countries through the Sahel and West Africa programme (SAWAP).