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World leaders renew commitment to strengthen climate resilience through Africa's "Great Green Wall"

Xinhua, December 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

World leaders and heads of major international agencies pledged Wednesday 4 billion U.S dollars over the next 5 years to step up implementation of the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI), according to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

UNCCD said leaders expressed hope that the renewed commitment to the GGWSSI - Africa's largest rural development project - will create new opportunities for communities right across the Sahel, whilst establishing greater resilience against climate change long into the future.

Macky Sall, President of Senegal, said at a global summit hosted by French President Francois Holland in Paris that his country has already "planted 12 million trees and restored 25,000 ha of degraded land. This has helped boost long-term food, energy, water and economic security."

Idriss Deby, President of Chad, called for effective commitment on the ground to counter the threats caused by the changes to Lake Chad, which borders five countries in west Africa and serves a large population in the region, including 2 million people who benefit directly.

In just 30 years, the Lake Chad has shrunk from 25,000 sq km to 2,500 sq km.

"Ensuring vulnerable communities are resilient to climate change is our first line of defence against the growing challenges of forced migration, food insecurity, civil conflict and extremism." commented Ms Monique Barbut, the United Nation's top advisor on controlling the loss of productive land.

"I commend the renewed commitment by the partners to the Great Green Wall, but hasten to add that it is in the interest of all countries to invest in land restoration", she added.

"There are many world wonders, but the Great Green Wall will be unique and everyone can be a part of its history," said Dr. Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of African Union Commission.

"Together, we can change the future of African communities in the Sahel," she added. Enditem