Africa in the spotlight at COP23

The first session was hosted in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), focusing on what African local governments are doing to contribute to their country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This session was moderated by Xolile George, CEO of SALGA, with input from Mayor Abel Langsi Ngwasoh (Bafut, Cameroon), Mayor Sylvia Muzila (Francistown, Botswana), Chairman Purgus (Pamplemouse, Mauritius) and Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga (Tshwane, South Africa).

The second session was hosted in partnership with the EU Energy Initiative Partnership Dialogue Facility (EUEI PDF). ICLEI Africa is partnering with the EUEI PDF to promote a study on Future Energy Scenarios for African Cities and unlock opportunities for climate responsive development within the African context. This session was moderated by Grace Stead from ICLEI Africa, with a key note address by Vincent Kito from UN Habitat. Silvia Escudero provided a briefing on the Future Energy Study, while Sello Mphanga (Tshwane, South Africa), Alessandro Galimberti (AVSI Foundation) and Morwesi Ramonyai (Borena Energy) provided valuable insight from their different perspectives.

The final session, which was hosted in partnership with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa, explored the challenges and opportunities for vertical integration between national and local governments for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa is an initiative that brings together local leaders and supports a model of multilevel governance.

The session was facilitated by Maryke van Staden from ICLEI World Secretariat, with contributions from Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga (Tshwane, South Africa), Mayor Sylvia Muzila (Deputy President for the Botswana Local Government Association) and Mr Agré Assie (Coordinator of National Climate Change Program, Ministry of Environment, Urban Sanitation and Sustainable Development, Cote d’Ivoire).

Read Executive Mayor of Tshwane, South Africa, Solly Msimanga’s address to the Africa Day delegation.

Read more about the emerging themes from Africa Day.