African countries meet in Nairobi to explore climate change technologies

Climate experts from Africa will meet next week in Kenya on April 9–10, 2018 to discuss collaboration and technology transfer.

Hosted by the United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), representatives from government, private sector, finance and research institutions will gather in Nairobi, Kenya to share experiences and best practices in the region.

CTCN Director, Jukka Uosukainen, says “Africa is facing increasing challenges from changing weather patterns, increasing droughts and extreme rain and floods that have an impact on the security of food supplies. By serving as a bridge between developing countries’ technology needs and the proven expertise of finance, private sector and research experts from around the world, the CTCN builds partnerships that achieve countries’ climate and development objectives”.

The CTCN promotes the development and transfer of clean technologies, and provides developing countries with access to free technology solutions at their request by mobilizing relevant technology experts from a global network of more than 400 technology companies and institutions to design and deliver customized solutions.

Over 100 technology transfers are currently underway in more than 75 countries for sectors ranging from agriculture and energy to industry and transportation. The CTCN provides expert policy and technology support to developing country stakeholders, coordinated by the NDEs.

“Most African countries have chosen clean energy technologies as a part of their environmental solutions. ICRAF supports these efforts through its work in developing cleaner options for woody biomass-based energy, a key technology used across the continent,” said Tony Simons, ICRAF Director General. “In partnership with CTCN, we contribute to environmentally sustainable clean energy solutions by helping countries in Africa to formulate national policies and sub national programs designed to meet their national targets on climate through agroforestry”.

As the implementing arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Technology Mechanism, the Climate Technology Centre is hosted and managed by the United Nations Environment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). 

The forum is organized together with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), a founding CTCN consortium partner. The Forum will be held during Africa Climate Week along with the Africa Carbon Forum (11–13 April).