Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

Wednesday, 4 October 2023

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2023

As a prelude to the celebration of the International Day of Peace (IdP) celebrated every year on the 21st of September, Drum Majors for Peace held the 4th Entertainment & Peace celebration on the 20th at the China Cultural Centre, Abuja. I was invited as Guest of Honour and Speaker. The general theme for this year was 'Action for Peace: Our ambition for the global goals'. The specific theme for our engagement was 'Building harmony through entertainment & cultural diplomacy'.

The pre-summit poster featuring me as Guest-of-Honour & Speaker

Some of the participants were:

* - Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy & Director, Cultural Centre in Nigeria

* - Former DG, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR)

* - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist & Former Director, IPCR

* - Arise TV Analyst

* - Founder, Ayamara Foundation & Member 7th Assembly of the House of Representatives

* - Convener/Founder/ED Drum Majors for Peace

* - PWD Rights Advocate

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Dr. Constance Ikokwu

In my speech, I called attention to the fact that 'peace is not served a la carte'. We all have to work assiduously and consistently to make it happen. Since war starts in the minds of men, it is also in the minds of men and women that peace should start (). Besides, entertainment is a viable tool for engendering peace via songs, dance, theatre, etc.

Li Xuda, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, alluded to the fact that the Chinese Ambassador, proposed an initiative called 'Sharing Chinese Harmony & Performing Nigeria-China Symphony.' Harmony is the most important traditional value in Chinese culture and symphony is a metaphor used for win-win cooperation between Nigeria and China

L-R: Amb. Nsikan Paul & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

Front row L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, Li Xuda (Director, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria), Dr. Chike Okogwu (PWDs Advocate launching the '')

After a few speeches there was the panel discussion where I pointed out the distinct difference between country, state and nation-state. I said that beyond the geographical entity, a country called Nigeria, we need to synergistically and organically evolve into a state where we genuinely voluntarily give up part of our sovereignty as citizens to the elected government and we expect in return protection of our lives and property. We the citizens also expect the protection of our fundamental human rights among other baseline demands. It is via this organic evolution that Nigeria can truly become a nation-state...

The panel discussion. 2nd left - Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

Dayo with participants

The 'Peace T-Shirt' was launched after the robust panel discussion on the theme: 'Engaging cultural diplomacy for peace...' There was so much entertainment - singing, dancing, poetry/spoken word and calisthenics. I look forward to the 5th edition of the Peace Summit next year.

Sunday, 27 August 2023

NILDS & ADVOCACY FOR INCLUSION: ISSUES FOR WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE

Between the 23rd and 24th of August 2023 in Abuja, National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies (NILDS) held an International Conference with theme: 'Women's representation in governance in Nigeria: Issues, challenges & way forward.' The parley was attended by parliamentarians from within and outside Nigeria, academics, practitioners and several other stakeholders. I was a valued participant.

L-R: & on the first day of the parley

Some of the participants are:

*Sen. Godswill Akpabio - President of the Senate

*Hon. Dr. Tajudeen Abbas (Represented) - Speaker, House of Representatives

*Prof. Abubakar Suleiman - DG NILDS

*Barr. Uju Kennedy - Minister, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development

*Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi - Co-founder, African Women Development Fund (AWDF)/Fmr. 1st Lady, Ekiti State/Keynote Speaker

*Hon. Agnes Kirabo - Member, Ugandan Parliament

*Advocate Olave Mogale - Chairperson, Commission for Gender Equality, South Africa

*Hon. Mbalu Jessica Kilo - Member, Kenya Parliament

*Mrs. Beatrice Eyong - Country Representative, UN Women

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist & Fmr. Director, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR)

*Sen. Biodun Olujimi - Fmr. Parliamentarian, Nigerian Senate

*Prof. Shola Omole - Federal University, Oye Ekiti

*Ms. Ekaete Umoh -Country Director, CBM Global Disability Inclusion

*Jake Ekpelle - CEO Albino Foundation

*Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola - Fmr. Majority Leader, House of Representatives

*Prof. Olalekan Yinusa - Obafemi Awolowo University

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio greeting Ms. Lois Auta on the first day of the conference

In his address, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said the 10th National Assembly is determined to promote gender equity. He noted that gender stereotypes and biases have hindered the desirable turnout of women in politics and governance in general.

DG of NILDS, Abubakar Suleiman said he shall continue to put programmes in place to deepen the democratic culture, while promoting gender-sensitive legislation. Let the DG speak for himself: 'In recent times, there has been growing concern in the public space about women's under-representation in governance. Despite accounting for 49.7% of the population, Nigerian women continue to be under-represented in governance at the national, state and local levels, compared to their male counterparts. Though the extant policy framework in Nigeria recommends 35% affirmative action in favour of women, their representation in governance remains below 7% as witnessed in the 2023 elections.' (Source: Conference brochure, pg. 10). For Prof. Suleiman, the conference was NILDS's contribution towards the effective correction of the anomaly of low representation of women in governance.

A cross section of participants: Ms. Lois Auta (sitting); Ist right - Alh. Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa (Emir of Keffi); 2nd right - Prof. Abubakar Suleiman (DG NILDS); 4th right - Barr. Nkiruka Onyejeocha (Minister of State); Hon. Kafilat Ogbara (Rep. Speaker, House of Reps); Sen. Godswill Akpabio (Senate President); Sen. Barau Jibrin (Deputy Senate President); Barr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Minister, Women Affairs); Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (Fmr. Ist Lady, Ekiti state/Keynote Speaker)

In the speech of the representative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, she was indeed on the same page with the Senate President. She pledged that the Lower House would support the five Gender Bills rejected by the 9th Senate when re-presented.

In her illuminating address, the keynote speaker, Erelu Fayemi, made a passionate appeal to the Senate President to walk the talk as regards the vexed issue of the representation of women in politics. She would like to see more competent women in the political space, enabled by relevant legislation on affirmative action and gender equity.

Middle - Barr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Minister, Women Affairs); Right - Ms. Rosemary Effiong (UNICEF)

In my many interventions, I broke down the concepts: gender equity/equality and affirmative action. I did this because the two different concepts of equity and equality were being wrongly used inter-changeably. Besides, I mentioned the fact that some of the discussants should be more kind in their remarks to paper presenters at the parley. The import of the discourse was to enrich the review of the various papers with their comments without 'putting down' the presenters. To be sure, some of the younger presenters/academics need to be encouraged rather than discouraged with rather harsh remarks. The point could still be made in a gentler and more accommodating tone...

On the whole, there were at least 21 parallel sessions, some of which are:

*The historical, conceptual & theoretical context.

*Women & the Political Party system.

*Women, elections & the electoral system/process.

*Poverty, women's empowerment & the SDGs.

*Gender norms & socio-cultural practices.

*Constitution, citizenship & women's rights.

*Girl child education & national development.

*Women in science, technology & mathematics (STEM).

*International gender protocols & legislation in Nigeria.

*Conflict & insecurity: The peace-building & gender dimension.

*Inclusiveness of women with disabilities in politics & governance.

*Cross-country perspectives of women's representation.

*Climate change & women's participation/representation in governance.

In conclusion, it is necessary for the few Nigerian female legislators to take a queue from their counterparts from other African countries who said they took some of their male counterparts to lunch in order to lobby them to support gender-friendly Bills! The discussion continues on the corridors and other spaces. The DG has emphasised the fact that this is not the last from the institution on this matter. We look forward to further engagements in collaboration with other stakeholders that would hopefully catapult women to where they should be...Kudos to DG NILDS and his formidable team for pulling off this remarkable and impactful conference...

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa on the second day of the conference

Wednesday, 9 August 2023

SNIPETS FROM THE 58 SESSIONS OF THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES (SB58) OF THE UN FRAMEWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE

On the 8th of August 2023 in Abuja, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) held a conference with theme: 'Unpacking the outcomes of the 58 sessions of the subsidiary bodies (SB58) of the UN framework convention on climate change'. The parley assessed Nigeria's preparedness for CoP 28 and how much progress has been made since CoP 27. Please see my relevant Blog post: dayokusa.blogspot.com/2023/01/cop-27-priorities-for-nigeria-towards.html... I was a valued participant at the meeting.

Photo L-R: Ms. (Representative of ) & Dr.

Some of the participants are:

*Dr. -

* - /Lead paper presenter

* - /

* -

* - GIZ Country Director for Nigeria & ECOWAS

* -

* - MD Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)

* - MD, Rural Electricity Agency (REA)

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist

* - Global Lead Women Environmental Programme (WEP)

The lead paper by Xolisa Joseph Ngwdla focused on the 'Overview of the negotiations in the African context & outcomes of COP 27/SB58.' He discussed , , and in relation to climate change (CC). He was particularly interested in sustainable pathways to net zero emissions. Xolisa admonished Nigeria to be mindful of the lens through which she achieves development in CC. Loss and damage was another contentious issue. The cross-cutting issues addressed were global stock-taking, international cooperation initiatives, just transition work, indebtedness, criteria for aiding African countries towards adaptation, etc

In my submission I was worried about the concept of loss & damage as it affects Africa, especially Nigeria. Besides, I challenged NCCC to include more women, youth, PWDs and other vulnerable groups in the adaptation process/agenda. For me harnessing indigenous knowledge (IK) is germane for effective adaptation in any clime.

Dr. Salisu Dahiru emphatically said that the 'financial page' was of utmost importance and that Nigeria needs to figure out exactly what it would cost to sustainably adapt to CC in the country. This may help the country attract the necessary help from the relevant sources globally. We should always remember that adaptive capacity is a function of development. For example, Nigeria lost about $7b in one rainy season. What does that tell us? CC is perpetrating significant damage in our clime...He also presented salient points in the National CC Act. The Act was signed into law in 2021.

The panel discussion was concerned about in-country platforms that could be catalytic for CC mitigation and adaptation. If these platforms are effectively harnessed, we may be able to shift forward the 2030 deadline we have set for ourselves to adapt to CC. The Energy Transition Plan (ETP) needs to be continually interrogated. The role of the media in the dissemination of vital information about CC cannot be overemphasised.

The youth are desirous of 'green skills' for the post-adaptation era. The Action Plan on Gender & CC was alluded to. In agriculture, for example, there are initiatives to reduce emissions from paddy rice production. Environmental/human health was another burning issue. NCCC was advised to carry sub-nationals along in all they do.

On the whole, there was fruitful discussion. I look forward to the next pre-CoP 28 parley sometime in October 2023...

Sunday, 2 July 2023

AFRICAN WOMEN NETWORK on AfCFTA (AWNA) - NIGERIA CHAPTER

The inaugural meeting of the Nigeria Chapter of the African Women Network of AfCFTA (AWNA) was held on the 26th of June at Labour (Pascal Bafyau) House, Abuja. AfCFTA is the African Continental Free Trade Area. I am a foundation member of the Nigeria Chapter of AWNA. The Convener of the meeting was Comrade Hauwa Mustapha (Vice President, AWNA @ the continental level).

Photo L-R: , , , , Hauwa Mustapha &

The meeting was attended by:

*Hauwa Mustapha - Convener/VP AWNA @ the Continental level)

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist

*Angela Ajala - National Coordinator, Association of Women in Business Network (ANWBN)

*Precious Mbat - Programme Officer, Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA)

*Yetunde Balogun - Office Assistant, OTUWA

*Chinwe Obiora - Programme Officer,

Meeting in progress

The aim of the meeting was to rub minds on the strategy the Nigeria Chapter of AWNA should adopt in order to harness the benefits of AfCFTA accruable to women within the Nigerian space, while exhibiting the uniqueness of our country. Women who fall within the vulnerable margin have a right to tap into the benefits AfCFTA could engender via AWNA, and indeed the Nigeria Chapter.

We agreed to:

*Identify the uniqueness of Nigeria within AWNA and AfCFTA.

*Map our partners, allies and enablers.

*Identify key stakeholders and collaborators.

*Identify the strategic areas of engagement for AWNA in Nigeria.

AWNA - Nigeria would concentrate on women/girls rather than the gender agenda. We shall vigorously source data without re-inventing the wheel. We shall leverage on extant data from various sources and also conduct our own independent research whenever necessary. The Mission and Vision of AWNA - Nigeria is in the oven, baking. We are also leveraging on the contents of the , which is a fall-out of the UNSCR 1325 Agenda which urges member states to develop NAPs in order to realise the goals of UNSCR 1325. The protection of women in peace/war times and indeed the well-being of women, which the NAPs seek are the bases of all that AfCFTA seeks to achieve. Without peace, there can be no development...An Advocacy Brochure for AWNA - Nigeria is in the making.

All this discussion and more took place within one hour! It appears AWNA - Nigeria has hit the ground running. If this tempo is maintained, Nigerian women of all classes are set for access to what AfCFTA has to offer them. Kudos to the Convener, Comrade Hauwa Mustapha and all those who were present at the inaugural meeting. We eagerly look forward to the deliverables...

Meeting still in progress

Sunday, 28 May 2023

GENDER-RESPONSIVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

The title of this Blog post was my presentation at the two-day orientation workshop for newly elected female Legislators to State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, held at Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, 17-18 May 2023. The workshop was organised by International Republican Institute (IRI) & Women's Democracy Network (WDC) in conjunction with National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILDS) & Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI). I was invited as a valued Facilitator/Trainer. The theme of the workshop was 'From winning to governing orientation.'

L-R: & (Resident Programme Director, IRI)

Some of the topics and facilitators are:

*Taking Office: Overview of State Assembly structure & the law-making process - (SA Technical to DG NILDS)

*Navigating tech-facilitated violence against women in politics - (ED )

*Legislative oversight & accountability: Principles, benchmarks & best practices - (IRI Consultant)

*Legislative committee system: Procedure, politics & challenges - (Research Fellow, NILDS)

*Engaging the system:

a) Legislative-Executive-Judiciary relationships - (Director, Democracy & Governance, NILDS)

b) Imperative of Female Caucuses - Hon. Mrs. Taiwo Oluga (Chairperson, )

* - Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist & Former Director, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution - IPCR, Abuja)

*A roadmap to advance gender equity in political leadership in Nigeria - ()

*Critical reflection on Gender Bills - (Chairman, )

*Gender-responsive budgeting - Beatrice Eyong ( Country Representative in Nigeria)

*Legislative representation: Engaging the citizenry & the media - (Team Lead, KDI)

*Bolstering your brand: Managing a strategic plan & building your team/Guiding principles for hiring & firing Legislative Aides - ()

L-R: Senator Biodun Olujimi (Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation) & Dayo @ the lobby of Radisson Blu Hotel on the first day of the Workshop

My paper, 'Gender-responsive legislative agenda', was rather interactive. Representatives of five out of six geo-political zones were present. The participants were asked to list the service delivery deficit in their states that could negatively impact the female gender, and indeed both genders. The responses were quite insightful from one zone, nay state to the other. They were then asked to state what they would do as female legislators to bridge the lacunae in service delivery in various sectors identified - Education, Health, Transportation, Agriculture, etc.

The responses were quite illuminating. I shall follow up with the legislators as regards their progress in ensuring better service delivery in their states via legislation, community engagement, self-improvement, holding the executive accountable, etc. A WhatsApp group to be set up by the organisers, specifically for progress on gender-responsive legislative agenda, my presentation, would ensure continuation of this important discourse with the female legislators.

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the workshop. Some of the Legislators are in the background

Friday, 12 May 2023

AFRICA FIRST LADIES PEACE MISSION (AFLPM)

I was there live at the commissioning of the Africa First Ladies (AFLPM) Permanent Secretariat, Piwoyi, Airport Road, Abuja on the 9th of May 2023. The edifice is the brainchild of First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari. It consists of a 250-seater conference hall, library, restaurant, extensive parking lot and sundry modern amenities. The First Lady was commended for achieving the feat in just a little over a year!

@ the commissioning of the Secretariat

Some of the dignitaries from other parts of Africa present at the ceremony are:

*H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda - Former President of Malawi & Member, SADC Panel of Elders

*Amb. Rebecca Amuge Otenga - Chairperson of the PSC for May 2023; Ambassador of Uganda to Ethiopia, AU & UNECA

*H.E. Mrs. Jewel Taylor - Vice President of the Republic of Liberia

*H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza - Former President of the Central Africa Republic

*H.E. Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka - Former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa & Member, Panel of the Wise, AU

*Prof. Shaukat Abdurrazak - Director, Division of Africa, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

*Amb. Bankole Adeoye - Commissioner for Politics, Peace & Security, AU

*H.E. Bineta Diop - AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace & Security (WPS)

*H.E. Mohammed Ibn Chambas - AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns

*Representative of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina - President, Africa Development Bank (ADB)

*Mohammed Musa Bello - Hon. Minister of the FCT

Dr, Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the ceremony

Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari remains the Chair of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the AFLPM for the next five years. All former First Ladies in Africa are automatic members of the BOT. Mrs. Buhari proposed that the 'Organisation of Africa First Ladies for Development' be merged into the AFLPM. She emphasised the fact that prevention of conflict is much more cost effective, while saving lives than management of same. The day before, 8th May 2023, at the State House Conference Hall Dome, Mrs. Buhari signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of AFLPM with the AU. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace & Security, AU Commission, signed on behalf of the AU.

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the signing of the MOU between the AFLPM & the AU @ The Dome, Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, 8th May 2023

AFLPM, known by its French acronym MIPREDA, is an outcome of the 1995 , where the significant initiative was taken to establish Africa First Ladies Forum by African wives of Heads of State/Presidents who came together as ambassadors for peace during the conference. The initiative was taken by the First Ladies of Nigeria, Gambia, Benin, Uganda, Lesotho and Burundi to undertake peace missions to the rest of Africa. They were also to advocate for the inclusion of women in negotiation teams to serve as mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution throughout Africa. It started in in 1996. The supreme organ of the mission is the 'First Ladies Conference'. Having held several regional meetings, the 'Abuja Declaration of Africa First Ladies on Peace & Humanitarian Issues' was made in 1996. (Source: www.aflpm.org)

Earlier, Dr. Joyce Brenda, former President of Malawi gave a passionate speech. She alluded to the fact that leadership is a love affair between the leaders and the led. This can only happen when there is good governance via positive peace, respect for human rights, separation of powers, etc.

, First Lady of Burundi, is the new President of the AFLPM. There was applause all round for the peaceful handover of 'power' from the incumbent President of AFLPM to the new President. It was indeed a glorious outing for the chief host, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari...

Sunday, 29 January 2023

CoP 27: PRIORITIES FOR NIGERIA TOWARDS CoP 28

The Conference of the Parties (CoP 27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), was held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt from 2nd - 19th November 2023. The meeting had to be extended for 37 hours. There was a lack of agreement on the way forward beyond CoP 26 held in Glasgow, Scotland in 2022. On the 26th of January 2023, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) in collaboration with the Coalition for Socio-Ecological Transformation (COSET), held a 'post-mortem' of CoP 27 at Denis Hotel, Abuja. I was a stakeholder at the event. After the deadline, the Loss & Damage concept was accepted in principle.

@ the lobby of Denis Hotel just before the commencement of the conference

The following were the themes:

*Outcomes for Nigeria: How did we fare as a country?

*CoP 27: Challenges & opportunities for civil society in Nigeria.

*Outcome on 'Loss & Damage'.

*How CoP 27 fared in amplifying the voices of women & youth.

*How did the Nigerian Pavilion at CoP 27 fare?

*Priority areas for Nigeria towards CoP 28

L-R: Ken Henshaw (Environmentalist); Dr. Daniel Mann (Country Director, FES); Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & a participant

Some of the other participants were: Hauwa Mustapha, Damaris Uja, Suleiman Arigbabu, Olumide Idowu, Lauretta Boniface & Aliyu Sadiq...

Snippets of the deliberations:

*For sustainable existence on mother earth, humans need to stem the tide of anthropogenic (human induced) climate change (CC).

*The women and youth agenda for CoP should be articulated at home before Nigerians head for CoP. This admonition is for both government and civil society.

*The training of youth in Negotiation and Mediation skills for CoP should be stepped up. The & National Negotiation Academy are welcome developments.

*The concept of 'Loss & Damage' (L&D) agreed to during Cop 27 should be further broken down. L&D recognises the fact that damage has been incurred on account of anthropogenic CC, which needs to be paid for. Who (countries, individuals, etc.) should be responsible for paying reparation? Should pollution continue just because culprits are owning up to the consequences of L&D? Who pays for unquantifiable/immesurable L&D like mental health?

*There should be both vertical and horizontal justice accountability. A country like Nigeria that's still uses fossil fuel and flares gas should consider in spite of the fact that historical responsibility makes the West also liable.

*The socio-ecological perspective of the L&D discourse needs to be expanded.

Beyond CoP 27 and before CoP 28, Nigeria needs to further articulate her stand on L&D while tinkering with the possibility of taking horizontal responsibility for CC...

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (middle) & colleagues

Related Links

*The world is on course for a disastrous (DC) instead of 1.5. Global emissions need to be reduced by over 7 percent every year for the next 10 years to reduce the risk of worsening https://bit.ly/3aVxdYw

*Cities using innovative solutions for floods and heatwaves preventionweb.net

*Counting on nature, our most perfect asset undp.medium.com

*Fossil fuels, air pollution and vital organs bit.ly/3Etu5T7

*Mo Ibrahim on impact of climate change (CC) in Africa and global CoP 27 talks washingtonpost.com

*CoP 27: A lot of noise for nothing? Should Africa be rejoicing after the high level meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh? theafricareport.com

*Of CC adaptation in Africa thenationonlineng.net

*Even if Africa uses all its natural gas for power, it would contribute only 0.67 percent of emissions. Africa must have natural gas to compliment its renewable energy (RE) - Akinwunmi Adesina http://bit.ly/3UHBkfI

*Transitioning from coal to RE: Indonesia's record-setting climate deal rmi.org

*Urban development & NDCs: From national commitments to city climate action http://bit.ly/3TCyE1M

*Countries could cut emissions by 70 percent by 2050, and boost resilience with annual investment of 1.4 percent of GDP - World Bank http://wrld.bg/YrAm50Lto4L

*It's time for Climate Agenda for all the people of our planet purispeaceforum.org

*By 2050, CC is estimated to create up to 86m additional migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa, 40m in South Asia & 17m in Latin America as agricultural conditions and water availability deteriorate across these regions (Source; Global Peace Index) web.facebook.com/photo

*How artistes, innovators & thinkers are using their platforms across Africa to amplify solutions to the climate crisis unfcc.int/event/cop.tv...

*Infra-credit's guarantee supported by UK-funded climate finance blending facility mobilises first green certified local currency debt issue for off-grid solar rural electricity project in Nigeria https://bit.ly/3TmBfg5

*Reaching 1.5 DC: A vision for the future chatamhouse.org

*How not to talk to Africa about CC - PMB washingtonpost.com

*Youth fight for climate justice & survival allafrica.com

*Africa can lead world's transition to a low carbon future theafricareport.com

*UNSG: Humanity has a choice - cooperate or perish. it's either a Climate Solidarity Pact or a Collective Suicide Pact un.org

*UNSG: CoP 27 announced on action plan (7th November 2022) for an EWS against climate disasters un.org

*Elite cheer Climate Extremism: Biden & UNSG encourage extremism michaelshellenberger.substack.com

*The science is clear. Any hope of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 DC means achieving global net zero emissions by 2050. But that 1.5 DC goal is on life support, and the machine is rattling - Antonio Guterres un.org

*De-coupling & fragmentation of the multilateral trading system is not the answer to the climate crisis. World leaders must unite with the WTO @ CoP 27 in laying a trade road map for a just response - NOI ft.com/content/227444

*CoP 27: African activists must demand a new 'internationalism' on the '4 horsemen that Meteorologists call the 'Climate Endgame' - Conflict, Food shortages, Extreme weather & Vector bone diseases theafricareport.com

*Micronutrient resilience & CC https://lnkd.in/eSSw-3ZU

*Nigeria's focus @ CoP 27 thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-focus

*Why small scale farmers need more climate funding weforum.org

*Brazil's Presidential election result could affect the planet's future nytimes.com

*World close to irreversible climate breakdown, warn major studies theguardian.com