UNFCCC, Bonn (unedited):

The dates and location for this year’s Africa Climate Week (ACW 2022) have been announced – from 29 August to 1 September in Libreville, Gabon.

Africa Climate Week is a platform for stakeholders to discuss regional climate action solutions and forge regional partnerships. It is also an important step on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 in Egypt in November.

The meeting will bring together stakeholders for regional collaboration, opening space to address shared risks and seize shared opportunities. By working together, governments, private sector leaders, development organizations, youth and civil society can find common ground and act with common purpose. The Climate Week will also feature an Action Hub to share action happening now to reduce climate impacts and build resilient communities.

UN Climate Change Deputy Executive Secretary Ovais Sarmad said: “Last year, over 12,000 stakeholders collaborated at three virtual Regional Climate Weeks. Together, we forged partnerships, strengthened national climate action plans and built momentum towards strong outcomes at COP26. This put the powerful potential of regional collaboration squarely in the spotlight.”

The call for regional collaboration was reiterated by Tanguy Gahouma, Special Advisor to the President of Gabon and Permanent Secretary of the National Climate Council.

He said: “Climate change remains for all of us a global emergency affecting every nation and constituent. It is our greatest collective challenge.