Benin joins the implementation of the AU and AMCOW ’s Capacity Development Programme on Economics of Adaptation Water Security, and Climate Resilient Development in Africa

Group photo of officials and participants 

At Grand-Popo on 26th of December 2013, the government of Benin has launched the implementation of the AU and AMCOW Capacity Development Programme on Economics of Adaptation, Water Security and Climate Resilient Development in Africa. The initiative is an outcome of the collaboration between the African Union and African Ministers Council (AMCOW)’s Water, Climate Development Programmme (WACDEP), implemented by Global Water Partnership and partners. The capacity development initiative is collaboration between GWP and UNDP-GEF, CDKN and UNDP-CapNet.

In Benin the focus of the initiative will be the ‘‘Evaluation, modeling and economic forecasting of climate impacts to optimize adaptation strategies and resilient development’'. The initiative is a follow up to the recent decision of the government to implement the program, after participating in the 1st Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on the programme held in Addis Ababa from the 25th to the 29th of November 2013 by AU and AMCOW in collaboration with GWP and UNDP-GEF. The program is implemented initially in eight countries: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tunisia and Zimbabwe. As agreed by GWP, UNDP-GEF and partners during the ToT in Addis Ababa the programme will be expanded to the following 17 countries in 2014: Ethiopia, Benin, Niger, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Comoros, Liberia, Uganda, Sao Tomé e Principe, Togo, Botswana.

The kick off workshop was officially opened by two ministers:

• Prof. Fulbert Gero Amoussouga, Minister in charge of the Coordination of policies and the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and
• Prof. Dorothee Kindé – Gazard Minister of Health.

Prof. Fulbert Gero Amoussouga has emphasized on the need for Experts of various sectors to discuss approaches and methodologies to mainstream climate change adaptation into development planning processes at all levels in Benin.

Prof. Dorothee Kindé – Gazard said that many diseases in Benin become critical due to the negative impacts of climate change. Therefore, she has called to make sure that the process to identify and integrate climate change adaptation measures into national development plans take into consideration all affected or relevant sectors and all levels including national and local. 

In his speech at the opening ceremony of the workshop the UNDP Deputy -Representative in Benin Mr Gilbert Poumangué has mentioned that the process of economics of adaptation aims to provide relevant data and informations in order to establish a framework to identify the impacts of climate change and estimate the corresponding costs. In his welcome address, the General Director of Water Affairs, Mr. Souradjou Nouhoun Touré has renewed his commitment to the implementation of the Project on early warning systems supported by UNDP in Benin to facilitate the implementation of the Capacity Development Program.

From the 26th to the 27th of December 2013, the kick off workshop has brought together 33 experts from various domains: climatologists, hydrologists, agronomists, economists, health, policy development, etc.

Participants discussed the usefulness of economic modeling of climate impacts, estimation models and analysis of costs and benefits, including the integration of climate change in the preparation of the national general budget. They have agreed on the next steps of the implementation programme that include:

• the selection of the key target sectors and the assessment of their capacity development needs;
• the alignment of the programme with the national adaptation planning process in Benin funded by UNDP;
• the establishment of national team of experts to support the implementation of the programme;
• the development of integrated climate and economic models to facilitate the identification of climate change adaptation investments and the integration of these into national development planning processes in Benin;
• the implementation of national and regional training workshops and the in between mentoring capacity development supports to trainees within their home institutions.

Presentation made during the workshop included: 

• the AU and AMCOW’s Water Climate Development Programme (WADEP) and Capacity Development Programme on the Economics of Adaptation, Water Security and Climate Resilient Development in Africa presented by the Representative of GWP Mr. Armand HOUANYE, GWP-WACDEP Capacity Development Programme Manager;
• the implementation of the programme developed by Mr. Isidore Agbokou (UNDP);
• the early warning systems and strategic planning as adaptation measures by Dr Arnaud ZANOU from General Directorate of Water Affairs;
• Cost Benefit Analysis Models: Theory and example of application to the Climate Change Adaptation in sectors of Water, Agriculture, Forestry, Health, Tourism by Dr Yves Soglo;
• Economics of Adaptation: Theory, Model Sector Analysis for Water, Agriculture, Forestry, Health, Tourism by Dr. Albert Hlonkou;
• Climate Change and costs for the Beninese economy: Estimation methods and results by Ing Médénou Aristide;
• the economic valuation of eco-systemic services by Prof. Nestor Aho;
• the assessment of vulnerability of Agricultural Production to Climate Change in Benin by Dr Emmanuel Lawin & Dr. Honorat Satoguina;
• the integration of Climate Change in the preparation of the General Budget in Benin: issues, challenges and prospects by Mr. Christian Houetchehoun (Department of Budget preparation) and
• the detailed capacity development plan for the implementation of the programme by Mr. Isidore Agbokou (UNDP) and Dr Alinsato Alastaire (Ministry of MDG and SDG).

For further information, contact: Isidore Agbokou - isidore.agbokou @ undp.org or Elsie Assogba - elsie.assogba @ undp.org or visit the Capacity Building Programme on the Economics of Climate Change Adaptation (ECCA) or ECCA Asia for more information.