The Africa Pavilion at COP21 officially opens on a high note

Abstract

Africa today sent an unequivocal message of solidarity and unity of purpose at the official opening of the Africa Pavilion at the UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris. Speaking at the high level opening, President Yayi Boni of Benin, was resolute that the Africa is not at the negotiating table with a begging bowl. He told the audience at the Africa high level event marking the launch of the Africa Pavilion that “Africa did not come here (COP21) to beg for money or assistance but to bring about commitment of all concerned to Africa’s adaptation needs” “The adaptation and mitigation needs of the continent are not aid” President Boni said, but an equity issue because climate change is a global phenomenon not caused by Africa. “The time to act is now” he said “the house is burning.” The high level panel at the official opening constituted the African Heads of State and Government, African Parliamentarians and the principals of the four pan-African institutions namely: the African Union Commission, (AUC); the African Development Bank, (AfDB); the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA); and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).