Statement read by H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko
Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment

On behalf of
H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat
Chairperson, African Union Commission

on the Occasion of

the Launch of the AU Green Recovery Action Plan

15 July 2021, 15.00-18.00 EAT

Virtual on Zoom

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Your Excellency, Mr. Felix Tsisekedi President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chairperson of the African Union
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government and Coordinators of the African Climate Commissions namely:- The African Islands Climate Commission and The Congo Basin Climate Commission
Your Excellency Mr. Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI)
Your Excellency, Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria
Honourable Ministers from AU Member States
Honourable Ministers from the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Sweden
The Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme
The Executive Secretary United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Excellency Ambassadors, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
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Allow me to welcome you all to the launch of the AU Green Recovery Action Plan. On behalf of the African Union Commission, I would also like to thank you all for honoring our invitation to the launch of the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan. Your presence is an attestation to the high priority that you accord to the issues of climate change and a green recovery from the COVID 19 Pandemic.
As the most affected continent by the impacts of climate change, I am pleased to highlight this afternoon, that Africa remains strongly committed to the global fight against climate change with countries making commitments on climate actions.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has brought in additional challenges in the Continent’s efforts in implementing key actions on environmental conservation, combatting climate change and meeting its development goals. Africa particularly hard hit due to existing vulnerabilities to climate change. Due to the pandemic, food insecurity and debt has been rising, and hard-won development gains are being lost.
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds in Africa, the situation remains fluid and rapidly evolving, with measures needed to ensure the trajectory of the recovery remains in line with our development goals.
The pandemic has placed additional pressure on nature and natural resources due to the loss of revenue usually derived from other sources such as crop production, informal trade, and eco-based tourism. Similarly, due to fiscal constraints that many African states have found themselves in, resources were reprioritized to COVID-19 response, and this further undermined response to other sectors including the environment and climate change sectors.
Excellencies, distinguished participants,
It is the face of these new challenges, that the Commission and with the support of the Office of the President of AMCEN, UNECA, NDC Partnership and the United Kingdom in its capacity as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 26) developed the AU Green Recovery Action Plan.
Under the leadership of the AU and in partnership with other international partners and organizations, the AU Green Recovery Action Plan will focus action on the following five priority areas: -
I. Climate finance, including increasing flows, efficiency, and impact of funding.

II. Supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and national Just Transition programmes.

III. Nature-based solutions and focus on biodiversity through work on sustainable land management, forestry, oceans, and ecotourism.

IV. Resilient agriculture, by focusing on inclusive economic development and green jobs; and

V. Green and resilient cities, including a focus on water (flooding and water resources) and enhancing information, communication and technology.

The Action Plan will utilise existing AU mechanisms for communicating with Member States and Regional Economic Commissions (RECs); Contribute towards attaining the targets contained in Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa We Want’ and to support the Continent to get back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. These priority areas are fundamental and key in building Africa’s resilience, for a better and greener recovery and to ensure sustainable growth.
I am also pleased to inform you that in November 2020, the Commission convened a Special Session of Ministers in charge of Environment and Natural Resources to discuss the impacts, challenges and opportunities presented by COVID-19 pandemic on the Environment and related sectors including Climate Change, Meteorology, Water and Sanitation, Forestry, Biodiversity, Wildlife, Disaster Risk Reduction and Great Green Wall. The meeting concluded with key recommendations that the Commission is implementing in the relevant sectors.
Your Excellencies, distinguished participants,
As I conclude, I would like to thank AU member States and partners present today who have come forward to offer support in the operationalization of the Action Plan and to champion the different Pillars. We shall be hearing from the countries and partners as they make their interventions this afternoon.
Excellencies, distinguished participants,
As I conclude, I would like to once again thank you all for joining us this today as we officially launch the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan and contribute to the achievement of the Africa We Want.
I thank you for your kind attention and look forward to a fruitful meeting