AAA Initiative Brings Agriculture to the Forefront of Climate Negotiations at COP22

Crusoe Osagie

Discussions around the provisions of the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA) to Climate Change Initiative was the focal point of discussions at the ongoing 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) hold in Marrakech, Morocco.

Pitched as a major challenge for the COP22, agriculture was for the first time in the history of the COP brought to the forefront of climate discussions. This session of the conference had visitors and participants discover the Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture to climate change (AAA) in a dedicated exhibition space, and immerse themselves in a reality that is already under way, through the agricultural projects supported by the initiative.

A coalition of 27 African countries at a meeting held in September 2016 adopted and gave their backing and commitment to placing the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA) at the heart of COP22 negotiations by adopting the AAA Initiative Marrakesh Declaration.
Launched in April 2016, the triple A initiative declaration (Adaptation for African Agriculture Initiative) seeks to reduce Africa’s agriculture vulnerability to climate change. The initiative which was launched in Morocco aims at promoting and fostering the implementation of concrete projects that will help improve land and agricultural water management, food security as well as the management of the effects of climate change on agriculture and food production.

The initiative seeks to consciously place the Adaptation of the African Agriculture at the center of all debates and negotiations on climate and to obtain a substantial part of the climate funds for Africa.

COP22 is the 22nd session of The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force in 1994, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The Conference of the Parties (COP) was designated as the supreme governing body of the Convention.

By virtue of this Convention, all the Parties have common but differentiated responsibilities. In addition, they take into account the specific nature of their national and regional development priorities, goals and circumstances.

Confirming the continent’s commitment to pushing through the initiative, His Majesty, King Mohammed VI of Morocco stated that, “Africa, long neglected, can no longer be ignored.

On his part, the President of the Scientific Committee of the AAA, Mohamed Badraoui noted that, “At the space dedicated to the AAA Initiative, visitors can discover the challenges of the Adaptation of African Agriculture and the projects supported by the initiative through an immersive, pedagogical journey. During COP22, the general public can give form to its support for the initiative through a digital campaign using #WEAAARE on social media.