Nairobi, Kenya, August 27-30 – Over 50 National Designated Entities (NDEs) gathered together to share insights and shape future strategies as the NDE Forum Africa kicked off. Focusing on the past decade of climate technology development and transfer, this year’s forum marked the 10th anniversary of the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and was held in conjunction with a capacity-building programme on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The four-day event brought together key stakeholders from the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism to reflect on a decade of progress. The forum featured knowledge-sharing sessions to showcase CTCN achievements, highlight transformative climate technologies, and promote collaboration in research and investment. A special focus was placed on AI capacity-building to enhance national and global climate action.

“NDEs are the frontline agents of change, uniting nations in making technology the heartbeat of climate action,” welcomed the participants, Fred Onduri, CTCN Advisory Board Chair. He emphasized the importance of the NDE Forums as a key avenue for collaboration between the Technology Mechanism and the countries and noted that these forums “provide a platform for in-depth discussions on climate technologies, technical assistance, and role of financial mechanisms, while also identifying opportunities, sharing success stories, identifying challenges and gaps, and keeping participants informed about the latest CTCN services and emerging climate technologies.”

He also underscored the critical role of AI, noting that “building AI capacity for NDEs is critical in enhancing their ability to respond to the technology needs of their respective countries. He emphasized that “strengthening the CTCN's ability to connect technology needs with financial resources and enhancing collaboration with NDEs is essential to our success.”

Thibyan Ibrahim, TEC Chair, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of collaboration: "NDE Forums are essential to the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism and the international efforts on climate technology development and transfer."

He added, "As AI becomes increasingly crucial in addressing climate change, the TEC AI Innovation Grand Challenge aims to leverage AI to create innovative solutions for a sustainable future."

Talking about the importance of technology-enabled climate solutions in our rapidly changing developing countries, Kenya's Climate Technology Delegate to the UNFCCC and member of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), Omedi Moses Jura, emphasized, "Integrating technology negotiations into COP discussions in relevant thematic areas is crucial for achieving Africa's climate resilience and sustainable development. As such, we must keep ascertaining that technology transfer and capacity building are central to our negotiations."

 “Africa remains a key focus for the CTCN, and we are observing significant trends and advancements in climate technology across the continent," noted CTCN Director OiC, Jonathan Duwyn.

He also addressed emerging trends, noting, "Digitalization is a major trend, with many requests for developing Early Warning Systems for floods, droughts, forest fires, and other hazards." He emphasized that "while adaptation is clearly the priority, countries should consider mitigation actions as an integral part of their long-term adaptation strategy."

From Algeria to South Africa: A cohesive strategy for climate resilience and low-carbon development

The NDE Forum was a turning point for Africa's climate resilience, uniting voices from across the continent to discuss and advance climate action. Participants shared their successes, challenges, and creative solutions, spotlighting groundbreaking work in technology and innovation.

Key moments included Zambia’s creation of a new National Innovation System, Malawi’s use of mobile tech to enhance climate data collection, Ghana’s development of Green Building Guidelines, and South Africa’s efforts to unlock new ways of energy efficiency. The forum also emphasized the importance of securing funding to quickly advance these impactful projects and drive meaningful climate progress.

The four-day programme concluded with a site visit, supported by GIZ, to the Pan African IY Data Centre in Kenya, operated by PAIX. As digital infrastructure expands, the data centre market in Africa is rapidly evolving, creating significant opportunities for growth and technological advancement. This visit highlighted the crucial role of data centres in digital transformation, economic growth, and innovation in Africa.

This event marks the second NDE Forum and capacity-building programme on AI for Climate Action organized by the CTCN this year. The first Forum and Capacity-Building Programme of this series took place in Asia and the Pacific region. The final Forum is scheduled to be held in October in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region.

NDE 포럼 자료 참고 : https://www.ctc-n.org/calendar/events/africa-nde-forum-2024-and-capacity-building-programme-ai4climate-action