At the conclusion of a high-level conference held in Marrakesh-Morocco on September 30, 2016, on Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA), 20 ministers and 27 delegations have adopted the Marrakesh Declaration, which places the Adaptation of African Agriculture at the heart of COP22 negotiations.

The conference which provided a platform for governments, local practitioners, farmer organisations and civil society was to reflect upon experiences, and share success stories and approaches to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in the agricultural systems.

It also provided an opportunity to inform the AAA initiative, which aims to transform agriculture in Africa as a whole

The Marrakesh Declaration also endows the initiative with a concrete action plan. In all, 27 countries have represented at the conference which has attended by over 300 participants in creating a real coalition for the Adaptation of African Agriculture to Climate Change, ahead of COP22 and beyond.

After two days of discussions among politicians, scientists, academics, private-sector leaders, and representatives from international organisations, the high-level meeting has concluded with the adoption of the Declaration.

In all, 27 African countries have adopted the Declaration, marking the inception of a coalition that aims to place the Adaptation of African Agriculture at the heart of COP22 negotiations.

The conference also marked the starting point of the “#WEAAARE” communications campaign, which aims at raising civil-society awareness and to mobilise the international community around the AAA initiative ahead of COP22.

The AAA coalition is determined to respond to the high expectations pinned on COP22 – which will run from November 7 to 18 in Marrakesh – so as to make it the “COP of Action” and the “COP of Africa.”

A concrete action plan for AAA funding and its implementation

The Marrakesh Declaration outlines the actions and objectives that the countries are committed to:

Endorse the principle of a larger, more effective and efficient public and private funding, as well as the principle of monitoring the funds disbursed for the Adaptation of African Agriculture, with an easier access to climate funds for African projects.

Contribute to actions and solutions through the Global Climate Action Agenda and any other related framework, highlighting African projects and good practices in such fields as soil management (including carbon storage in soils), agricultural-water control, climate-risk management, and funding small farmers, who constitute one of the most vulnerable groups, thereby facilitating access to research in agriculture;

Place agriculture at the heart of climate negotiations by emphasising a sustainable increase in productivity and agricultural earnings, while adapting and developing resilience to climate change;

Work towards building African capacities in terms of agricultural policies and programmes, and setting up and managing sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural projects.