The African Union Commission, in partnership with institutions like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) this week launched the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI). The Africa Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI) aims to support the African continent to both connect the potential of mobility in the context of the climate crisis, as well as to address climate-forced displacement and migration. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson who presided over the high-level launch said the launch of an Africa Climate Mobility Initiative has come at a very critical time where global solidarity and shared responsibility is no longer a choice but a central philosophy for governance of global affairs. “The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, 6thAssessment Report (2021), revealed alarming facts and figures, that is why we are calling for transformative action to save lives and livelihoods of the victims of climate forced displacements by integrating solutions into the national and international macroeconomic frameworks that pursue equitable development, interlinkages among conflict, natural disasters and population movement.” She added. Nsanzabaganwa added that ACMI is geared towards shaping the future and called upon all partners to embrace the mechanism and provide collective efforts to shape the resilience of mobile populations against climatic conditions. ACMI seeks to promote the African Union Climate Change Strategy that aims at enhancing coherence in the continent’s approach to addressing climate change, and the implementation of the Blue Economy Strategy which addresses in part issues of climate change and biodiversity conservation while boosting economic development of communities.
