Friday, October 31, 2008

CTA Seminar: Fourth and Fifth Day

The seminar has been closed this afternoon by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulics and Fisheries of the Republic of Burkina Faso. Before the closing ceremony, Prof MVK Sivakumar from the World Meteorological Organization read the Ouagadougou declaration, one of the outputs of the seminar. The declaration recommended many steps to addressing climate change. Among the principle recommendations are:
1. Urgent implementation of climate change adaptation measures in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
2. Ensure timely provision of agro-meteorological forecasts and products.
3. Develop rigorous research and policy analysis.
4. Ensure adequate and consistent funding for climate change adaptation.
5. Establish task forces in different ACP regions for follow-up actions.

Yesterday, the 30th October 2008, the participants divided themselves in three groups and visited three different sites where climate adaptation measures have been successful. The sites are between 15 and 30 km away from the city centre. I joined the biophysical group to visit the Manamfian forest. The site is located in the Northern part of Burkina Faso, about 26 km from Ouagadougou along the Ouagadougou – Ouahigouya road. This is an example of community management of a village project. According to the forest manager “commitment by the population alone is not enough. There is a need to develop common-agreed sanctions against offenders”.

For more information visit the seminar website

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