CCDA-IV was a success, according to Dr. Denton

Marrakech, Morocco (ACPC) – The Fourth Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-IV) drew to a close on a satisfactory note, according to Dr. Fatima Denton, Coordinator of ClimDev-Africa programme, the initiator of the event.

In an interview given at the closing of the Conference, which convened over 500 researchers, decision-makers, academics, civil society representatives, among others, on the theme ‘Africa Can Feed Africa Now: Translating Climate Knowledge into Action’, Dr. Denton stated that “the event was a success!”.

Assessing the results of the three-day reflections and exchanges, Dr. Denton indicated that: “We were here to find out if Africa could attain food self-sufficiency and I think we got the answer; the participants are quite confident that Africa can feed itself. Now, it all depends on conditions, on existing institutions, and on mechanisms that we avail to the most vulnerable sections of our population. It also depends on the way we make science accessible to our most vulnerable communities”.

“We all agree that this is doable, but there are conditionalities, such as strengthening institutions, training people, providing incentives — a number of things we need to do and that we can do. These are the things that will help us move towards realizing the goal of food self-sufficiency” she added.

In response to the question about her institution’s belief as to the feasibility of food self-sufficiency in Africa, Dr. Denton asserted that: “I am convinced and so are the participants! We had quality participation, a host of ideas, people who were quite motivated and excited, and despite the challenges we encountered while organizing this event, results have emerged. I am therefore convinced that Africa has the knowledge it needs to feed itself, the required institutions, the willingness, and natural resources at its disposal. All the conditions are fulfilled; we have now to see how we can ensure that all this is made accessible to the people — be it decision-makers or farmers!”

An annual event organized under the auspices of the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) programme, a consortium of three leading pan-African institutions - the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) - this Conference seeks to provide a unique space to influence climate change and development policy making in Africa.