African Union: Erastus Mwencha 'The time to act is now'

Press release: African Union 192/2009

The Deputy Chairperson of African Union Commission, Erastus Mwencha, took part on Thursday 22nd October 2009, in Stockholm at a high level seminar held within the framework of the fourth edition of the European Development Days, under the theme: “Understanding the costs of adaptation”.

The objective of the seminar was to raise awareness and improve understanding of the costs of adaptation to climate change, including uncertainties, in developing counties as well as improve understanding on costing, prioritizing and integrating adaptation in development planning and budgetary processes at the national level, for effective use of resources.

Focusing on the costs of adaption in Africa, the Deputy-Chairperson observed that, there is sufficient evidence for action and “we should not wait until we know everything to act. The time to act is now”, he said.

Mr. Mwencha underscored the need to screen each project for an opportunity so as to promote climate adaptation and reduce future impacts and establish a national and regional framework for action. “Delayed adaptation costs today will mean increased adaptation costs in the future, said Mr. Mwencha, adding that, provision of financial resources for implementation of adaptation measure is critical for Africa.

The panel of the high level seminar was composed of: Mr. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Mr. Bert Koenders, Minister for Development Cooperation, The Netherlands and Mrs. Katherine Sierra, Vice –President for sustainable Development, World Bank.