East African Community partner states are aligning their approach ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties in Türkiye. The regional bloc is formulating a unified position focused on climate adaptation, resilient agriculture, and equitable climate finance. This alignment is part of the drafting of the EAC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2036. The ten-year roadmap aims to enhance regional environmental governance.
The EAC's efforts are driven by the vulnerability of smallholder farmers, who face severe disruptions due to climate change. Erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, floods, shifting temperatures, and heightened pest pressures severely impact their operations. The Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum has called for the integration of climate and agricultural policies. They advocate for institutionalized farmer participation in program design and monitoring.
The Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum Chairperson Diane Sibanda emphasizes the importance of direct farmer involvement. This ensures that policies reflect rural realities and address the specific needs of smallholder farmers. The forum also demands streamlined climate finance mechanisms to eliminate administrative barriers. This will enable direct adaptation resources to reach agricultural organizations.
Regional stakeholders prioritize targeted investments in agroecology, sustainable land management, and farmer-managed seed systems. These investments aim to strengthen long-term food security and enhance the resilience of agricultural systems. The EAC's unified stance will refine its negotiating strategy, ensuring a robust and unified voice on the international climate stage.
The EAC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2036 is a critical component of the region's environmental governance. The plan will guide the region's climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts over the next decade. By unifying their approach, EAC partner states can more effectively address the impacts of climate change.
The 31st Conference of the Parties in Türkiye will provide a platform for the EAC to present its unified stance on climate change. The region's focus on climate adaptation, resilient agriculture, and equitable climate finance will be key areas of discussion. The EAC's participation in the conference aims to ensure that the region's voice is heard and its interests are represented.
The EAC's efforts to unify its approach ahead of the UN climate conference demonstrate its commitment to addressing climate change. By working together, EAC partner states can enhance their resilience to climate change and promote sustainable development. The region's unified stance will contribute to global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Key points
- EAC partner states are unifying their approach ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties in Türkiye, focusing on climate adaptation and equitable finance.
- The Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum advocates for institutionalized farmer participation in program design and monitoring.
- The EAC's unified stance will refine its negotiating strategy, ensuring a robust and unified voice on the international climate stage.
