Report on 16th Session of the Conference of parties cop 16, Cancun, Mexico

8/3/2019 Report on 16th Session of the Conference of parties cop 16, Cancun, Mexico

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Report on my participation in the 16th sessions on the conference of

Parties (COP 16), Cancun, Mexico, 2010, Prepared by: Ebrima S. Dem,

National Representative of Global Unification-the Gambia and Advisor,

African Youth Initiative on Climate change, (AYICC)

Introduction

From the 29 November to the 10 December 2010, stakeholders in the

climate change, including young people met in Cancun to discuss the future

of planet earth in relation to risk to survival posed by the changing climate.

The conference which was the 16th session of the conference of parties to

the Kyoto protocol brought together young climate activists, politicians,

policy makers and other development partners to negotiate for a fair

climate treaty that will shape future engagement of both developed anddeveloping countries in the struggle to avert the projected disaster of

climate change.

I participated in this conference as an official youth delegated from the

Gambia. My participation in this high level meeting was funded by the

Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA), with accreditation from the

government of the Gambia. As official youth delegate, I followed the

negotiation at the high level plenary, supported my national delegation on

physical work during the conference and also advised my delegation on howany treaty that our government will sign could reflect the voice and concern

of young people.

My task at the COP 16

During the COP 16 I carried out the following task:

1. Support our national delegation.

Every morning, we meet to plan our daily activities and to providefeedbacks to our delegation of the previous activities. As an official

youth delegate, I had the opportunity to observe the negotiation,

attend many of the high level plenary sessions on REDD+, Climate

finance, Article 6 and KP. I also attended the meetings of the African

group. In addition to this, I facilitated a meeting between our minister

of environment and Global Biodiversity Information facility (GBIF),

which led to the signing of memorandum of understanding between

the government of the Gambia and GBIF. And I also sent daily


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feedback home to youth leaders and policy makers briefing them on

the states of negotiation

2. Participated in Global Campaign for Climate action (GCCA) activities

During the COP 16, I participate in some of the GCCA daily meetings,

took part in GCCA action and provide feedbacks during the meetings

of GCCA sponsored delegates from the Global south. During this

meeting GCCA funded delegates share best practices and provided

brief report on the activities they have undertook.

3. Supported YOUNGO activities

At the COP 16, I contributed in the drafting of YOUNGO policy document

on article 6. I also took part in the article 6 working group meetings and

also YOUNGO morning meetings. Through these meetings, we made plans

and map out strategies for effective participation of young people in the

COP 16 and subsequent UNFCCC processes.

4. Plenary Sessions

I attended a number of plenary sessions such as REDD+, Climate

finance, Kyoto protocol (KP) and Article 6 and African group meeting.

I followed the discussion keenly and noted some important points. I

also prepared some reports on each of the plenary session I attended

and send via email to the head of my national delegation.

5. SIDE EVENTS

I attended series of side events which were quite interesting. By

participating in these side events I had the opportunity to improve my

knowledge on climate change. Some of the side events also provide

me relevant information on funding opportunities for youth climate

actions and to support local climate initiatives in Africa.


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6. OTHER EVENTS AND ACTIONS

In addition to the series of side events I attended, I also participatedin other actions and meetings both within and outside the Cancun

Messe. These include the forest day organised by International Centre

forest Research (CIFOR), Mountain action, by youth from the Global

south and fossil of the day award, among others.

Lesson Learnt

The COP 16 has helped me to improve my skills in organising youth climate

action. I also had the chance to meet, interact and share ideas and best

practices on climate change with young people and senior climate experts

from around the world. As an aspiring climate negotiator, participating in

the plenary sessions had improved skills on climate negotiation. Added to

this, I had the opportunity to build new partnership and strengthen

established ones.

Post COP 16 activities.

After the COP 16, I organised a debriefing session in the Gambia. During this

session, I shared the outcome of Cancun agreement with young people,members of the media and policy makers. I also submitted the Cancun

agreement to number of development organisations and other youth groups.

In addition to this, I was invited to a radio program to share my experience

in Cancun, with the public. The radio program entitled: climate talk, is run

my organisation-Global Unification, with funding from Actionaid

international, the Gambia

Appreciation

I wish express my sincere appreciation to GCCA for funding my participation

in the COP 16, which would not have been possible without their support.

Special thanks to Aslihan for her invaluable support. Also, I would like

appreciate so much the Government of the Gambia, through the head of

national delegation and UNFCCC focal point for Gambia for providing me the

accreditation needed to attend the COP 16. Finally, I would like to thank

members of the Global Unification-the Gambia and African Youth Initiative

on Climate change (AYICC) for their encouragement.


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Documents

Report on 16th Session of the Conference of parties cop 16, Cancun, Mexico