Civil Society to come up with regional position on climate change

The Apex Alliance will host a consultation meeting for regional civil society specialised in climate change to help come up with one position for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP 17) to be held in Durban, South Africa in November, 2011.

One of the key issues discussed during the last civil society forum was around the effects of climate change in the region. The role of the Alliance in strengthening developing country governments and popular constituencies in the cause of climate justice is even more crucial during the climate change meeting.

A two-day meeting will be held in July to facilitate exchange among representatives of the Alliance and climate change organisations in Southern Africa. The meeting will enhance synergy and advocacy on the road to Durban. This will include organisations working on agriculture and food security, gender equality and equity, industrialisation and jobs, natural resources and environment and trade.

The meeting will meet the following objectives:

• Deepened understanding of the linkages between the issues of climate change and the interests and concerns of different social groups in Southern Africa;
• Strengthened interaction and engagement between Southern African civil society working for economic development, global justice and climate change;
• A strategy for effective and collaborative advocacy towards Durban.

Discussions at the civil society meeting will be organised around the main issues of contention in climate change negotiations; the demand and requirements of climate change of just and equitable resolutions of climate crisis.