Post Durban and RIO+20 analysis workshop

What were the outcomes of the COP17 meeting held in Durban last year? What was achieved and what was under achieved, how do communities benefit from the outcome, what role did we play as a country and what is Rio+20? These are but some of a myriad of questions running through the minds of the 76 participants who were invited for a Post Durban and RIO+20 analysis workshops held at the Hotel Intercontinental on the 7^th February, 2012. The workshop was well attended by Government officials both from the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources and Office of the Prime Minister, civil society and youth representatives.

The welcoming remarks by the KCCWG Chairman, Mr. John Kioli were an acknowledgement of the collaboration between the civil society and government during COP 17 where some members of the Civil Society were accredited through Government. The KCCWG side event at the African Pavilion was a milestone in showcasing the work that has been done towards achieving the country’s Climate Change bill. He also acknowledged the Caravan of Hope that was a civil society initiative in telling the African story in more than ten countries within Africa. He lauded the support by various partners during the Durban process and was looking forward to more support towards the Rio+20.

Mr. Alex Alusa , the director of the Climate Change Coordinating Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister recognized the good work of the civil society in the first week of the meeting and acknowledged that Climate Change knowledge is not a preserve of the government. He expressed the need for Kenya to work a little harder and have strong delegations that have staying power during negotiations. His clarion call was for the country’s’ national interest to take precedence over other interests whether we are civil society or government. Be Kenyan first, African second and a developing country last.

Notably in the meeting was the presence of the secretariat on the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) who passed apologies from the PS to the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources. Isabella Masinde, Natural Resource Management advisor, gave remarks on behalf of the Ministry. She lauded the Civil Society’s work in creating awareness on Climate Change prior to the Durban meeting. She mentioned that many developing countries have not yet understood the concept of Green Economy which is key in the Rio+20 talks. She emphasized the need for actual programs on the ground and the pro active role of the Civil Society in such programs. She recommended that the Kenya Climate Change Working Group should also organize itself in thematic groups of negotiations like adaptation, mitigation, climate finance etc to have better impact on the negotiations.

Amongst the speakers of the day were Winnie Asiti of the Kenya Youth Climate Network(KYCN), Cecilia Kibe of the Kenya Women Climate Justice Champions(KWCJC), Mithika Mwenda of the Pan African Climate Justice Network(PACJA), Prof. Alfred Omenya Eco build Africa/AU consultant and Frank Msafiri, the chair on the committee on Rio+20.

Be on the lookout for a comprehensive report on the workshop to be loaded on this site!