Rabat - The Casablanca-based tink-tank Atlantis is organising a conference in Rabat, Morocco, on the impact of climate change on Security in Africa.
The three day conference is taking place from 1-3 December and will cover food security and water management, demographic growth and agricultural development as well as anticipating tomorrow's solutions.
Over 400 experts and decion-makers from the public and private sectors including representatives of governements and international companies from Africa, Europe, Asia and the americas are expected to take part.
Mr Driss Benomar, president of Atalantis said that Climate change is as important today as solving conflicts in the African continent.
He pointed out that Atlantis takes action by thoughtfully engaging a group of experts and decision makers in a creative
space, sharing ideas, concepts and proposals.
Atlantis operates with the best practices of the international community, and guided by a commitment to the highest ethical standards, he concluded.
Climate change, as it is perceived today in its consequences on ecosystems, biodiversity and human societies, presents serious short- and medium-term problems in global
security, particularly so in Africa, perhaps the most vulnerable continent on the planet to impacts from climate change owing to political, socio- economic and demographic
challenges that it also has to face.
In the face of deteriorating living conditions and generally increasing insecurity, it is necessary to examine the risk of violent intra- and inter-state conflicts in Africa. It
seems clear that as tensions emerge on the Continent, the absence or presence of violence will largely depend on the response of national governments and the international community to dampen the impact of climate change on the quality of life and general well-being of affected populations.
In fact, for example, the findings are that as access to water becomes more difficult, amid a decline in agricultural yields, shorter growing seasons and significant changes in precipitation patterns. At the same time, the population in Africa is expected to grow to two billion by about 2050 and that in half a century, three out of four births will occur on the African continent. Thus, the decline in agricultural yields on the one hand and the increase in population on the other will put unprecedented pressure on already fragile African systems, adding that Africa is expected to be able to provide only 13% of its food needs in 2050.
The IPCC estimates that with an increase from 1.2 to 1.9 degrees Celsius, the number of undernourished Africans will see increases of 25% in Central Africa, 50% in East Africa, 85% in Southern Africa and 95% in West Africa, a total estimate of 240 million. According to the Economic Commission for Africa, the consequences of malnutrition
on children, and on the future, could cost between2-16% of future GDP.
In anticipation of projected cataclysms and to support the vested interests of both civil society and governments, we have decided to propose this theme for the consideration of the 2019 edition of the Africa Security Forum. We hope again to be modestly able to contribute to addressing this major problem, for us and our children. While it is certainly a problem generated mainly by others, such as the big industrialized countries, USA, China, and Europe, out of which we will mostly be the victims, it is
unforgivable if we do nothing.
Let us take advantage of the time for what will be proposed, to listen, share and address together this multitude of challenges and consider, without complacency, our situation.
Africa is the continent of possibilities, Africa possesses immense natural and human resources, usable spaces, the strength of its youth, a sense of tradition-based innovation, and a forward-looking framework built on good governance that to avoid the old pitfalls of jealousy, indulgence, poverty, envy and often intolerance.
We count in particular on you in our work on the third topic, drawing on your own experiences, the recommendations of the Ministries present and even help light the way
for Moroccan foreign policy in this regard. It is hoped that the road map will be essential to reach 2050, prepared as best we can.
We have tried here to share with you our thoughts on this subject, reflecting our hope in this moment. If a young Swedish teenager can mobilize leaders and youth,
and the World knows how to gather for COP 21 and 22, we can, in following the example of our Sovereign, not settle for individual betterment but, true to a selfless sentiment that drives greatness, to help us strive for a preserved world, for as has been said many times before, our ecosystem is in danger and our ecosystem is me, you, us and the innocents and children who depend upon us to act now.
