International Partnerships for Climate Action through the SASSCAL Treaty and Joint Declaration.
The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) is a product of a partnership between Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Germany in response to the challenges of global change. As a result of its integrated regional service delivery focus, SASSCAL delivers scientific knowledge products, services and capacity building on climate change and adaptive land management.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry will host the 2nd SASSCAL Ministerial Meeting on the 26th September 2019. Under the theme International Partnership for Climate Action, the meeting seeks to,
- Bring together SADC Ministers responsible for SASSCAL and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to sign the SASSCAL Treaty and Joint Declaration
- Inaugurate the SASSCAL council of Ministers
- Deliberate on the SASSCAL Treaty and Joint Declaration and approve a roadmap towards its practical implementation
- Approve all instruments required to transform SASSCAL to an International Organisation
- Provide an opportunity for the Ministers and their delegates to network and reflect on climate change challenges in the region for a united climate Action
Climate change is a global challenge, it is here now and requires urgent action as its impacts can no longer be ignored. The meeting will bring SASSCAL Member States and BMBF to discuss further joint actions towards addressing this challenge through the SASSCAL Treaty and the Joint Declaration in conjunction with existing regional initiatives. International Partnership for Climate Action is required in recognition of the need for joint efforts for prioritising a collective response to climate change impacts in southern Africa by setting in motion adaptation measures aimed at improving the regions’ resilience. International Partnership for climate Action also requires resources to drive the process. BMBF will fund SASSCAL Research Programme to an equivalent of 10 Million and 3 Million for SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme. Members States will make financial contributions to SASSCAL’s operations.
The transformation of SASSCAL into an international organisation will ensure optimal positioning and an enhanced competitive advantage towards ensuring its long-term sustainability.
In announcing the Ministers meeting, SASSCAL Executive Director Dr Jane M Olwoch praised SASSCAL Members States for the continued political commitment and BMBF for their financial commitment to the Institution. Both instruments are necessary for an effective coordinated Climate Action and ensures SASSCAL’s long-term sustainability towards its mandate to support the region’s climate change targets.
The meeting’s attendance is strictly by invitation only. More details on the meeting will be provided in due course through the SASSCAL website. www.sasscal.org
SASSCAL Marketing and Communications
Enquiries communications@sasscal.org
