Launch of the 5 City African Adaptation Network

2009/10/26

Representatives from the ICLEI Africa office recently visited Walvis Bay, Namibia, to launch the 5 City African Adaptation Network. The aim of the visit was to assess the current vulnerability of the city and surrounding communities to climate change impacts. Workshops were also held with a number of stakeholders in Walvis Bay in order to give an overview of the predicted threats of climate change in Namibia and to share knowledge and understanding about the projected impact of sea-level rise and other climatic variables.

This workshop launched the consultative processes that are to be undertaken as part of this project, entitled ‘Sub-Saharan Cities: A five City Network to Pioneer Climate Adaptation through Participation Research and Local Action’ which ICLEI AS will be embarking over the next 3 years. ICLEI AS has been awarded funding by the IDRC/CCAA and will be working in partnership with UN-Habitat throughout the process.

The main aim of the workshop was to establish participatory platforms and a project steering committee for Walvis Bay which will continue to be maintained throughout the duration of the project and beyond. The workshop succeeded in:

• Understanding current impacts of climate change on the local government and its surroundings
• Exploring current methods of responding to these impacts including small-scale projects that can be implemented at the local level by communities.
• Establishing a project steering committee, comprising of representatives from each of the three stakeholder groups and includes community members, local council representatives and research organisations.

For more on the 5 City Adaptation network see ICLEI Adaptation and News Article