Second day of the international Conference, June 9, 2022

The second day of the International Conference kicks-off with a first thematic panel, dealing with climate change adaptation and its connection to migration, chaired by Mr Youba Sokona and moderated by Mrs Khaoula Jaoui, OSS Climate Department Coordinator.

Mr Youba Sokona, Vice-Chairman of the IPCC, reports on the social, urban and economic impacts of global warming. He also calls for inclusive governance and political commitment. Our world is warming, we need to constantly update our adaptation strategies, he says.

Mr François Gemenne, President of Climate Voices, mentions the pressing need to reconcile the empirical reality of migrations with their perception. He raises concern about the undeniable increase in the volume of migration, by choice or by obligation.

He also speaks of the environment-led political refugees and economic migration that adds to the existing categories of migration. Besides, he emphasizes migration as a strategy for climate adaptation.

The challenge is to consolidate the power of action of the civil society, especially women and young people in their endeavour to contend with climate hazards, underlines Mrs. Roukiattou Ouedraogo. Communication Officer and member of the OSS SOC, she insists on the importance of supporting the most vulnerable categories of our societies in the advocacies to bring holistic responses that integrate the issues of migration.

Mr Cheikh Mbow, Director General of the Centre de Suivi Ecologique - CSE Dakar, launches a call to consider the issue of biodiversity in our countries, which is sadly a second-class thought. He specifies that the Sahel is not a poor area and that we have natural and human resources that must be valued and highlighted. Moreover, Mr. Mbow stresses that the connection between theoretical concept and local reality must be established, in order to overcome the lack of understanding and to guarantee the popularization of scientific research.

Mr Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner of Water Resources Planning and Regulation of Uganda, talks about water scarcity and pollution, linking them to population growth and environmental degradation.

Mr Luc Gnacadja, Former Executive Secretary of the UNCCD and Chairman of the OSS SOC, introduces the challenges of local governance. He states that we do not build adaptation and resilience for populations, it is rather a question of co-development.

This session, rich in insights, comments and surveys, is a worrying image of the socio-economic situation of the continent, nevertheless, signs of hope appear to be achievable through the valuation of possible political responses in favor of sustainable adaptation.