Strengthening coordinated

water and climate actions in

Africa Building on the interlinkages between SDG 6 (Water and

Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Report of the side event

16 October 2019

Accra International Conference Centre, Ghana

CLIMATE CHANCE AFRICA 2019 – SIDE EVENT REPORT

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Table of

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 3

2 OBJECTIVES 4

3 DESCRIPTION 4

4 OUTCOMES 6

4.1 Model of way forward from country presentations 6

4.2 Working Group Recommendations 7

4.3 Key Conclusions and Recommendations of the Africa Regional Policy

Paper 9

4.5 Global Recommendations from the Regional Policy Papers 9

5 MEDIA IMPACT 9

6 ANNEXES 10

ANNEX 1 – BACKGROUND 10

ANNEX 2 – PROGRAMME 13

ANNEX 3 – LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 14

ANNEX 4 – PRESS RELEASE 16

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1 INTRODUCTION The Climate Chance Summit– Africa 2019 took place in Accra from 16-18 October and brought together local governments, businesses, NGOs, scientists, representatives from agricultural, youth, women and indigenous organizations and citizens, to show the progress of their actions across Africa and point out solutions for a more significant implementation. “Adaptation and Water in Africa” was one of the 9 main themes of the Summit. In this framework, the side event “Strengthening coordinated water and climate action” was organized on 16 October by UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) and the UNESCO National Office to Ghana, with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources of Ghana, the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia, Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) Africa and The Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA). The event brought together stakeholders from the Water and Climate communities to discuss how water can contribute to climate change adaptation and how partnerships across these topics can be strengthened. Recommendations on this topic from the Africa Regional Policy Paper1 developed by WWAP and UNECA were presented, as well as different countries examples and local actions, including experiences from Ghana and Ethiopia. The event focused on the positive aspects and possibilities of managing climate and water in a more coordinated and sustainable manner and identified key messages to be conveyed at strategic international events of both sectors: COP 25, to take place in December 2019 and World Water Forum, which will be held in 2021 in Senegal.

Speakers and participants were drawn from African Member States of ECA, key private sector organizations, local actors and civil society organizations attending the Climate Chance Summit -Africa 2019. In total, approximately 50 participants contributed to the discussions.

1 “Water as a cross -cutting factor in the SDGs under review at the high level policy forum for sustainable development (HLPF) 2010 in Africa”; en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/regional_policy_document_africa_for_hlpf_2019_long_final.pdf

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2 OBJECTIVES The overall objective of the side event was to present the key findings and recommendations on water and climate from the Regional Policy Paper developed by WWAP and UNECA in Africa, in order to facilitate interactive exchange to share work in progress in different countries in the region, with emphasis on local actions.

Sub-objectives included:

Increasing awareness on the role of water in climate change adaptation in Africa;

Discussing the latest findings on Water and Climate Change and related policy recommendations;

Strengthening stakeholder engagement and coordinated action on water and climate;

Promoting exchange and replication of good practices at country and regional levels;

Identifying messages to bring the voice of local actors on water and climate action to Cop25 and World Water Forum.

3 DESCRIPTION

Mr. Diallo Abdourahamane, the Head of UNESCO National Office in Ghana, welcomed the participants and stated that UNESCO recognised water as a critical resource for development, reason why the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme was collaborating with its partners to organize the side-event. He said managing water resources vis-à-vis the impact of climate change was very complex and, therefore, required an interdisciplinary approach to addressing it. He defended that Africa needs to pool together its intellectual and technical capacity to address these challenges.

Mr. Abdourahamane said one of the key messages from the Regional Policy Paper called on African leaders to acknowledge and invest in stronger links between SDG 6 and the other water-related goals to lift millions of people from poverty and achieve the African Water Vision 2025, the 2030 Agenda and the African Union Agenda 2063. “Indeed, without clean water and sanitation, we cannot attain sustainable cities and communities, which is Goal 11. Without access to clean water, our girl-child will continue to travel longer distances in search of water instead of being in school. Therefore, our dream of attaining equitable and quality education for all and gender equality, which are Goals 4 and 5 respectively, will not become a reality”, he stressed.

Dr Stephen Maxwell Kwame Donkor, WWAP Consultant, said water was so critical that Africa should prioritize water resources management since they are being polluted and dwindling as the population increases. He encouraged Ghana to learn from other African countries like Ethiopia who had gone through long droughts over the past 15 years but had taken irrigation seriously and other measures critically to address the problem. “Ghana should have a long-term water development plan, which will survive the NPP and the NDC. It’s about the survival of the people otherwise we will soon be paying twice and thrice of the price of water we are paying now,” Dr Donkor said.

The presentation of Ms. Yodit Balcha on Ethiopia’s actions provided a model way forward for country action to address climate change impacts, including a water development plan to sustain its water bodies and preserve them for future use (See section 4).

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Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah, the Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Ghana, shared that the Ministry was established to specifically focus on water and sanitation issues with an eye on SDG 6. He mentioned that other ministries like those of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation were to coordinate activities in relation to climate and the environment. He emphasized the need for proper coordination of agencies and collection of the relevant data with due analysis to guide local measures in the provision and supply of water and related services.

Mr. Boamah stressed countries must commit resources towards achieving effective water climate actions in Africa. He said Ghana had invested close to a billion dollars within the last two and a half years to improve and provide quality water to citizens. For example, Ghana’s Parliament recently approved 272 million dollars for the Tamale Water Expansion Project to serve over 880,000 people with the Tamale-Kumbugu-Damango-Savelugu-Yapei areas.

Dr Olufunke Cofie, Principal Researcher and Head of the West Africa Office of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), said cities in Africa must be water-smart and come up with ways to use and manage it productively.

Mr. Paul Currie, Senior Professional Officer of ICLEI Africa, shared insights about city-level responses to water crisis and climate change impacts: partnering with multiple stakeholders is vital to ensure city-wide response to crisis. Partnering early, particularly with academic institutions, assists with operationalizing information and knowledge, to build awareness and shape city plans and citizen behavior. Moreover, interventions must be well targeted to the needs and perceptions of business, industry and different consumer classes. Effective demand-side management and social interventions can have strong short term responses to crisis, which may be quicker than technological, supply-side interventions. Finally, water consumption behaviors can be (re)shaped effectively, but this requires that citizens are given the correct motivation (why?) to change behavior and have a clear demonstration of how they can change their water-related activities in positive ways.

Following the experiences presented, three different working groups were organized to discuss: the role of technology and innovation in the adaptation to climate change impacts of communities in Africa; how improving agricultural water management can mitigate the effects of climate change; how a good management of water resources can help to mitigate and adapt climate change impacts on water and energy supplies. The aim of these groups was to exchange a way forward to help African communities to become resilient to climate change impacts and to grasp essential recommendations.

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4 OUTCOMES

The key outcomes of the Side Event are categorized as follows:

Model of way forward from country presentations

Working Group Recommendations

Key Conclusions of the Africa Regional Policy Paper

Key Recommendation of the Africa Regional Policy Paper

Global Recommendations from Regional Policy Papers (Arab States, Africa, Latin America & Caribbean).

4.1 Model of way forward from country presentations The presentation from Ethiopia provided a model way forward with the following characteristics:

Government led One plan, One Budget and One Report system to achieve urban, rural and institutional (school and health facility) WASH services.

Implemented by four government ministries (Water, Irrigation and Energy, Health, Education and Finance and Economic Cooperation) and UN agencies, financing institutions, CSOs, and other WASH Development Assistance Groups (DAGs).

Become a national model for good governance; planning, efficient use of human and financial resources; implementation and monitoring for improved delivery of WASH services.

The recommendations going forward are:

Paradigm shift through changing mode of delivery from isolated schemes to holistic socioeconomic schemes throughout all sectors of the economy’s competing water uses.

Increased water sector integration through governance, management and capacity development for climate change adaptation.

Mobilize and allocate funds for water sector disaster risk management including Climate resilient -WASH and development program.

Put in place appropriate institutional arrangements in delivering early warning systems for early actions, disaster prevention, mitigation, and climate change preparedness.

Strengthening Institutional and Technical capacity: Probably the greatest threat to water sector sustainability is the weak capacity at the district sub-district levels both in terms of financial and human resources (staff numbers and qualifications).

Developing a sustainable financial scheme: limited budget allocation is hindering country's response to climate induced water resource scarcity; thus developing a business/ project model that will self-finance.

4.2 Working Group Recommendations The purpose of the three working groups was to discuss and make recommendations on some of the key

policy messages to be included in the Road Map of the Coalition on Water and Adaptation of the

Climate Chance Summit, COP 25 and the World Water Forum to be held in Dakar Senegal.

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1. Technology and Innovation in adapting to Climate Change impacts of water resources. Key guiding questions:

How can Technology and Innovation in the African context be deployed to adapt to floods and droughts to improve resilient of communities and protect the gains of economic development?

What innovations currently exist and how can they be scaled up for use across the continent?

What are the major constraints in the application and use of technology and innovative tools in managing the impacts of climate change and variability on communities and what replicable solutions have been found in member states worth recommending for use elsewhere.

Key messages/recommendations for COP 25 and World Water Forum.

Recommendations: 1. The potential technology solutions must be accessible, affordable, easy (friendly) to use and

decentralised. 2. These should include ecological restoration and nature-based technologies and innovations

for extreme water events management. 3. Build, swales, underground tanks, retention dams. 4. Develop adequate policy and transparency, political will and cost-effective solutions. 5. Strengthen localisation of solutions (technologies and innovations)( uptake of technology,

ownership) and sustainability of the interventions or solutions ( strengthening the value chain), community based or connected solutions.

6. Strengthen opportunities in Water management solutions (technology and innovations).

7. Strengthen culture of innovation, water management and ownership and efficient use of water as well as knowledge sharing and information dissemination.

2. Adapting to Climate Change impacts on agricultural water use.

Key guiding questions:

Considering the fact that agriculture is the main economic activity in most African states and is the major use of water resources, how can water productivity be increased to match anticipated demands including the impacts of climate change?

What evidence- based examples or pilots exist at national and local levels for improving the resilience of agricultural communities to climate change impacts which can be replicated across the continent?

What are the practical constraints in adopting improving agricultural water management in Africa and how have these been overcome in successful countries/cases?

Key messages/recommendations for COP 25 and World Water Forum.

Recommendations:

1. Efficient water management through modernization of the overall irrigation system. Adopt micro-irrigation systems that saves water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly with the goal of minimizing evaporation.

2. Capture rainwater and flood water for dry season production using water saving techniques for water application.

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3. Strengthen the capacity of small-scale farmers who are one of our most important resources, as they use very little land and few to no technologies to sustain rural populations.

4. Rethink agricultural practice by adopting conservation agriculture including mulching, minimal soil disturbance and soil management practices that build up organic matter for water retention.

5. Appropriate water saving practices along the entire agricultural value chain including use of drought tolerant crop varieties, breeding.

3. IWRM and Climate Change impacts with focus on water supply and energy.

Key guiding questions:

What are the existing and anticipated impacts of climate change impacts of ground and surface water resources availability for domestic use, industry and energy?

How have successful countries and regions in Africa planned and managed the use of water resources to mitigate and adapt to climate change/variability impacts on water and energy supplies?

What Best Practices are worth replicating and how can this be done across the continent?

Key Messages for COP 25 and World Water Forum.

Recommendations: 1. Apply least cost options for production and distribution of energy. 2. Infuse appropriate/ modern technological adaptation for water efficiency. 3. Integrate waste management and pollution services in long-term policy. 4. Integrate long term and applying more systematic approach through coordinated institutional

approach. 5. Include and apply local perspective in program planning for integrated water resource

management. 6. Create hybrid system in water and energy supply planning.

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4.3 Key Conclusions and recommendations of the Africa Regional Policy Paper2

1. Achieving SDG 6 on water has positive impacts on all the other SDGs. Investing in water infrastructure and systems enables the achievement SDG 13 (Climate Action) in particular.

2. In Africa, climate change impacts are manifested through water (floods and droughts). Water storage infrastructure and early warning systems must be prioritized.

3. African governments and their relevant institutions/partners must invest more human and financial resources in data gathering and analysis on the human and economic losses from disasters (especially floods and droughts) to support evidence-based planning and budgeting.

4. In Africa, Governments and their partner stakeholders must utilize water as an instrument of regional economic and social integration in which access to water is a human right.

4.4 Global Recommendations of the Regional Policy Papers (Arab States, Africa and

Latin America & Caribbean)3 1. Implement climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, including climate-resilient

water infrastructure, water use-efficiency and resources management, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, inclusive emergency response planning, and natural disaster early warning systems.

2. Assess water reserve impacts from climate change and include these impacts and water reserve projections in national climate change mitigation and adaptation plans under SDG 13.2.

5 MEDIA IMPACT The main messages and recommendations coming from the side event were captured in numerous

African Media Houses:

1. https://ghananewsagency.org/science/africa-needs-to-rise-up-to-mitigate-looming-water-

insecurity-158086

2. https://ghananewsagency.org/science/water-management-is-crucial-to-africa-s-sustainable-

development-unesco-158119

3. https://ghananewsagency.org/science/climate-chance-summit-africa-underway-in-accra-158096

4. http://dredgewire.com/article/12916/ghana-deepens-efforts-to-end-flooding-of-upper-regions-by-

spilling-of-bagre-dam/3/company-people

5. https://ghananewsagency.org/science/-lets-make-conscious-efforts-to-collect-rainwater-to-reduce-

flooding-in-africa-unesco-officer-158169

6. https://ghananewsagency.org/science/ghana-deepens-efforts-to-end-flooding-of-upper-regions-by-

spilling-of-bagre-dam-158198

7. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hSiHDAeNwtMrIEMvkytydo3d8DPGoI7s

8. https://citinewsroom.com/2019/10/adopt-ethiopias-water-development-plans-consultant-to-govt/

9. www.environewsnigeria.com/unesco-urges-african-leaders-to-invest-in-sdg-6/

2 For key conclusions and recommendations of the Africa Regional Policy Paper, please see here: https://en.unesco.org/, pag. 12-14. 3 The Regional Policy Papers have been developed for Africa, the Arab region and Latin America and the Caribbean and include findings and policy recommendations to support the inclusion of water in planning across sectors and at all scales. For more information about the Regional Policy Papers please click here: http://www.unesco.org/.

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6 ANNEXES

ANNEX 1 – BACKGROUND

Concept Note Side Event -Water and Climate Change

Climate Chance Summit– Africa 2019 Background Water (in) security and climate change are two of the most critical crises the world will face over the

next decades. Global warming is already altering the water cycle, with a direct impact on society through

floods, droughts and water related diseases, but also threatening energy and food security, economic

development, environmental integrity as well as a number of other Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs). Water security is key for climate change mitigation and adaptation at country and local level.

The Water cycle is very sensitive to climate shifts and although some aspects of the future climate can be predicted with confidence other aspects cannot and this constrains decision making in planning the use of water resources for the future. The impacts of climate change are already being felt and are expected to accelerate over time unless mitigation and adaptation measures are undertaken to counteract such impacts. For the Africa region, which contributes very little in green -house gas emissions (GHGs) which underpin global warming, such impacts are being felt through extreme climatic events such as droughts and floods. Two notable quotes to illustrate this are that: "Water is the medium through which humans will experience most of the impacts of climate change." (Mike Muller, 2007) This shows the close connection between water and climate and how this is critical for human behaviour, human connections and human communities. The second quote is: “The language of climate change is also the language of water.” This means that when we talk about the manifestations of climate change such as floods, droughts and famine, we are actually talking about aspects of the water cycle and thus highlighting the close linkage between climate and water. For Africa, it is pertinent to add the following quote: “Climate Change is Adaptation” Since Africa does not contribute much emissions of GHGs, the only path to survival is adaption to build

resilient livelihoods.

Water, a key national climate action priority

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To comply with the Paris Agreement, countries are requested to submit Nationally Determined

Contributions (NDCs) to demonstrate prioritised areas, challenges and planning with regard to climate

change. In the UNFCCC Secretariat’s synthesis of NDCs -which captures the submissions of 161 parties –

water emerges as the leading sector for adaptation action and is emphasized by 137 low-income

countries. The water sector is referred to as the most vulnerable sector; floods and droughts are raised as

the top two key climate hazards (identified by 82 and 77 countries respectively). Moreover, countries

draw attention to the proportion of people employed in vulnerable sectors like water, indicating large

social, economic and political consequences of those climate change impacts. In addition, poor

infrastructure and institutional capacity are highlighted as limiting factors. (UNFCCC, 2016).

The Climate Chance Summit– Africa 2019 will take place in Accra from 16-18 October and bring together local governments, businesses, NGOs, scientists, representatives from agricultural, youth, women and indigenous organizations and citizens, to show the progress of their actions across Africa, point out solutions for a more significant scale and highlight the opportunities for new initiatives emerging from climate action in the African continent. “Adaptation and Water in Africa” is one of the 9 main themes of the Summit.

Description The Side Event will be organized by UNESCO-WWAP, UNESCO National Office to Ghana, UNECA, and the

UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa. Speakers and participants are from African Member States of

ECA, key private sector organizations, local actors and civil society organizations attending the Climate

Chance Summit -Africa 2019.

The side event will bring together stakeholders from the Water and Climate communities to discuss and showcase how water contributes to implement the Paris Agreement– looking for instance at adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage. There will be reflections on the different targets under SDG13 and presentations of examples of countries integrating climate change measures into water policies, strategies and planning (target 13.2). For the Africa region focus will be on droughts and floods as the key linkages with climate change adaptation.

The event will also facilitate discussion on challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations of how partnerships across these topics can be strengthened. The event will focus on the positive aspects and possibilities of managing climate and water in a more coordinated and sustainable mannerand will identify key messages to disseminate at strategic international of both sectors: CoP 25 and World Water Forum.

Objectives

The overall objective of the Side Event is to present the key findings and recommendations of the Africa Regional Policy Paper section on water and climate to participants of the Climate Chance Summit and facilitate interactive exchange to share work in progress in different countries in the region, with emphasis on local actors and actions.

Increasing awareness of water’s role in climate change

Discussing the latest findings on Water and Climate Change and related policy recommendations (based on WWAP-ECA Regional Evaluation)

Strengthening stakeholder engagement and coordinated action on water and climate

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Promoting exchange and replication of good practices at country and regional levels

Identifying messages to bring the voice of local actors on water and climate action to Cop25 and World Water Forum

Conveners UNESCO World Water Assessment Program (WWAP)

UNESCO National Office to Ghana

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa

Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ghana (tbc)

Ministry of Water and Energy, Ethiopia. (tbc)

Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda (tbc)

About UNESCO WWAP The UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) was founded in 2000 to produce a UN

system-wide periodic global overview of the status (quantity and quality), use and management of

freshwater resources. Since its establishment, WWAP works to equip water managers and key decision-

makers with the information, data, tools and skills necessary to develop and implement sustainable

water policies.

WWAP activities articulate along three mutually reinforcing pillars4, which aim to:

1. Synthetize evidence-based knowledge to achieve water-related objectives of the 2030 Agenda

2. Advance transformative water management through transdisciplinary projects

Inform Policy-Science Dialogue to improve decision-making on water

4 See http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/water/wwap/about/ for more information.

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ANNEX 2 – PROGRAMME

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ANNEX 3 – LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

NO. NAME ORGANIZATION EMAIL

1. Beverly Danquah IWMI Comms Officer b.danquah@cgiar.org

2. Stephen Maxwell

Donkor

WWAP Consultant sdonkor@gmail.com

3. Daniel Adom UN-Habitat

Consultant

adomdaniel53@gmail.com

4. Kodwo Andah SUSDEVAFRICA andahk@gmail.com

5. Yodit Baicua Ministry of Water,

Irrigation and Energy,

Ethiopia

yodibai@2gmail.com

6. Hajar Saaid SNEC International

Pty Limited

hajar.saaid@smec.com

7. Gildas Renault Sciences Po Rennes-

France

gildasrenault7@gmail.com

8. Rafsanjani Adams UNFPA radams@unfpa.org

9. Michael N.

Blankson

UNFPA blankson@unfpa.org

10. Patience A.G

Oppong

EXPRO GULF

Limited

amagyemfual@gmail.com

11. Manon Talon Sciences Po Rennes-

France

manon.talon@flee.fa

12. Nutefe K. DRA Environmental

Protection Agency

nutefe.dra@epa.gov.gh

13. Carly Joe-Louis Water Resources

Commission

carlyss.cjl@gmail.com

14. Adwoa Paintsil Water Resources

Commission

himapaintsil@yahoo.com

15. Camille Fouin Sciences Po Rennes-

France

fouincamille@gmail.com

16. Josereine Agbo Ministry of Sanitation

and Water Resources

josereinea@gmail.com

17. Godfred Asamoah Water Resources

Commission

godfredasamoah19@yahoo.com

18. Linda Agyepong Ministry of Local

Government and

Rural Development

nanayaa.agyepong@gmail.com

19. Alfred Ansah Ministry of Local

Government and

Rural Development

alfredansahgh@gmail.com

20. Houis Laua Sciences Po Rennes-

France

houis.laua@gmail.com

21. Kumi Michael CSIR-Water Research

Institute

kumimichael@yahoo.com

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22. Emmanuel D.

Turkson

A Rocha Ghana emmanuel.turkson@arocha.gmail.com

23. Yakubu Bilal Local Government

Ministry

yakububilal@yahoo.com

24. Stephen Parku Local Government parku7@yahoo.com

25. Richard

Nyamekye

Local Government

(MOFA)

richkn2018@gmail.com

26. Timothy Yao

Gadagbui

Local Government

(AOBDA)

gytimothy@gmail.com

27. Daniel Nnnebini

N.

Local Government nnebini@gmail.com

28. Ayamga Anthonia Local Government ayamganthonia@gmail.com

29. Emmanuel

Acheampong

Institute For

Sustainable Energy

emaache@gmail.com

30. Laabiir Edward

Sabo

Local Government

(DA)

lesabo121279@gmail.com

31. Mariam Amu-

Mensah

CSIR Water Research baarbs92@gmail.com

32. Nuru Deen OXFAM ndeen@oxfam.org.uk

33. Clifford Odame Custom Bult Limited crowncarlraya@gmail.com

34. Lydia K. Asamoah Ghana News Agency lydkuks@yahoo.com

35. Cyril D. Dogbe Media General (TV3) mydelacyril@gmail.com

36. Ama Kudom-

Agyemang

I G C J kudomagyemang@gmail.com

37. Nana Konadu Daily Graphic presevere900@gmail.com

38. Benedict Obuobi Daily Graphic obuobibenedict45@gmail.com

39. Hadiya Garba UNOPS hadiyag@unops.org

40. William Anku CSIR-WRI williamanku85@gmail.com

41. Samuel Annan FFCWI ffcwi@yahoo.com.uk

42. Fatimata Sana Association YAAM

Solidanite

fatousana7@gmail.com

43. Isaac Arthur City Fm tabsobar1981@gmail.com

44. Enusah

Mohammed

University of Ghana enusah.moha@gmail.com

45. Abdul Shakur

Ahmed

Local Government abdulshakur.ahmed@yahoo.com

46. Aaron A. Asirah GrassRoots Africa azagsirah@gmail.com

47. Josephine Melese Sciences Po Rennes-

France

josephine.melese@gmail.com

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ANNEX 4 – PRESS RELEASE

“Strengthening coordinated water and climate actions in Africa”

Water security, key for climate change mitigation and adaptation at country and local levels

The Side Event “Strengthening coordinated water and climate actions in Africa” will take place in Accra,

Ghana, at the International Conference Center, on 16 October, from 8.00 AM to 13.00 PM. The

conference will be held during the Climate Chance Summit- Africa 2019: from 16-18 October, organized

by the Climate Chance Association and the National Association of Local authorities of Ghana, to take

concrete actions against climate change in Africa and insure the continuity of the first edition.

UNESCO WWAP, in collaboration with UNESCO National Office to Ghana, UNECA, UNESCO IHP Africa,

ICLEI and AGWA, will contribute to the Summit by organizing an event which will bring together

stakeholders from the Water and Climate communities to showcase how water resources management

contributes to climate change adaptation, mitigation and improved resilience.

The event will present key findings and recommendations on the close connection between water and

climate, as well as examples of local actions, including experiences from Ghana (tbd) and Ethiopia. The

main goal is to facilitate the discussion on how water can contribute to the creation of adaptation and

mitigation measures to assure climate-resilient communities and to reduce human and economic losses,

involving local and regional actors. Findings from a regional evaluation WWAP developed in Africa will be

shared. The outcomes and key messages identified will be conveyed at future international forums, such

as COP 25, which will take place in Chile from 2-13 December and World Water Forum which will be held

in 2021 in Senegal.

Water as a key climate action priority: some facts and data

“Water is the medium through which humans will experience most of the impacts of climate change”,

Mike Muller, 2007.

Climate change and water insecurity are two of the most critical crises the world will face over the next

decades. Global warming is already altering the water cycle, with a direct impact on society through

floods, droughts and water related diseases, but also threatening energy and food security, economic

development, environmental integrity as well as a number of other Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) agreed by the international community.

Among the data collected in the UNESCO WWAP Africa Regional Policy Paper:

Climate-related disasters in Sub Saharan Africa accounted for 62% of all 1666 recorded events

between 1998 and 2017

Floods were usually the most frequent impact: 66% of all the disasters recorded

Droughts occured fewer times but with higher intensity and duration

Economic losses due to floods and droughts between 1998 and 2018 in Sub Saharan Africa

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East Africa accounted for 4 Billion USD of economic loss

Western and Southern Africa respectively reported 1.4 Billion USD and 1.6 Billion USD of

economic loss

More on:

Climate Chance Summit- Africa 2019: www.climate-chance.org

Side Event Provisional Programme: www.climatechance.org/en/schedule/unesco-world-water-assessment-program-wwap/ UNESCO WWAP African Regional Evaluation: www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/water/wwap/water-and-agenda-2030/

About UNESCO WWAP

The UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme works to equip water managers and key decision-

makers with the information, data, tools and skills necessary to develop and implement sustainable water

policies. It coordinates the work of 31 UN-Water members and partners in the World Water Development

Report: a comprehensive annual review that gives an overall picture of the state, use and management of

the world’s freshwater resources. The World Water Development Report on 2020 will be dedicated to

water and Climate Change. WWAP is based in Italy and its activities articulate along 3 mutually reinforcing

pillars: Synthetize evidence-based knowledge to achieve water-related objectives of the 2030 Agenda;

Advance transformative water management through transdisciplinary projects; and Inform Policy-Science

Dialogue to improve decision-making on water.

More on WWAP: www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/water/wwap/about/;

About UNESCO Office in Accra

UNESCO Accra works to assist the Government of Ghana invest in Science, Education, Culture and communication and information. The office also supports to build the capacity of relevant institutions and stakeholders for the implementation programmes in tandem with the core mandate of UNESCO.

UNESCO works to build the scientific knowledge base to help the country to manage its water resources

in a sustainable way through the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). Together with its World

Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme functions

as a Global Observatory for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. As such, it adds value to the fight

against climate change by promoting integrated monitoring, multidisciplinary approaches and

participatory activities supporting climate change management and for field learning on climate change

impacts and related solutions.

Contact for media:

Melody Boateng, National Professional Officer for Science, UNESCO Ghana Office: m.ocloo@unesco.org.

Office number: +233 302740844