The European Commission with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of states will present a conference on "Stronger Women for a better climate" at the European Development Days on June 5.
Women are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change: their rights and socio-economic status are not equal to those of men, and they have less voice and influence than men in shaping policies and prioritising how climate finance is used. Empowerment of women is an important ingredient in fighting climate change and building climate resilience as women are primary agents of change and effective risk managers. Their role is fundamental to create solid basis for a climate proofed development. Through a series of concrete examples from international, national, local actors and climate activists, the session will explore how women's voices and actions can be heard and seen to influence climate change policy making at all levels.
African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) ministers are meeting here amidst concerns over several serious challenges including security issues, migration as well as the devastating effect of climate change. Addressing the 107th session of the ACP Council of Ministers, Jamaica's Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, said these challenges “pose serious threat to the achievement of growth and development goals we have set ourselves as well as to those we have subscribed.
The European Union adopts today new programmes and projects worth a total of €467 million under the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. The EU continues to deliver on its commitments to assist vulnerable migrants and refugees and address root causes of irregular migration. The new support measures in the Sahel/ Lake Chad region and the Horn of Africa will foster stability, jobs and growth, especially for young people and vulnerable groups.
Today, the Operational Committee of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa has adopted a new set of 8 programmes and 4 riders worth €294 million for the Horn of Africa region. This new package complements 50 previously adopted actions amounting to €820.3 million for the Horn of Africa. Approved in seven packages in December 2015, April 2016, October 2016, December 2016, April 2017, December 2017 and February 2018, these actions all contribute to improving stability and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement in the Horn of Africa region.
African Farming, with endorsement from the Federal Government of Nigeria, is all set to organise the African Farming’s Agroinvestment Summit at the Tower Hotel London from 4 -5 June 2018, focusing on the growth of agriculture and agribusinesses across West Africa. Specifically designed to embrace a wide range of stakeholders like government officials, importers, distributors, agribusiness owners, C-level executives from food companies, trade union members and manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural equipment, machinery and services, the summit will create a cohesive platform for trade and investment opportunities for investors and buyers around the globe.