From 18 – 19 July 2023 ACCORD participated at the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict’s (GPPAC’s), Southern African Regional Network, that is, the Southern African Partnership for the Prevention of Conflict (SAPPC) meeting.
The meeting which took place in Lusaka, Zambia focused on climate change and its impact on the region. The platform provided the space for the delegates to discuss the various effects that result from the impact of climate change, including migration and displacement; resource conflicts; and potential human wildlife conflicts. Representatives from various government ministries in Zambia presented on the efforts to address climate change and the disaster risk reduction efforts that are being implemented in Zambia. In addition, SAPPC members also presented on the Climate Security Risk Assessment that their organisations developed and implemented in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Uganda to gain a better understanding on the risks associated with climate change through data collection amongst communities. The case study in Uganda, that showed indigenous knowledge systems that are used to determine weather patterns and other climate risks, was a good example on using traditional methods as an alternative to modern methods to detect climate changes.
The meeting brought together representatives from, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It was also an opportunity for each of the SAPPC representatives to share on their peacebuilding work in line with SAPPC’s workplan. The meeting further reflected on ways to strengthen the network through partnerships with other regional bodies towards advancing efforts for peace in the region.
ACCORD, as a member of the network, will continue to strengthen its work and engagements in the SADC region, and further seek opportunities to strengthen its partnerships with members amongst the network to achieve effective peacebuilding efforts.
