African climate experts to discuss mitigation actions in Rwanda

Rwanda is set to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regional workshop on Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) to climate change.

The meeting to run from August 17-19 in Kigali, is co-organized by UNFCCC Secretariat and Rwanda's Ministry of Natural Resources.

The workshop is expected to draw over 70 climate change experts from across Africa, representatives of international organizations and the private sector..

It aims to strengthen the use NAMAs as a tool for re-2020 and post-2020 climate change action.

Experts and representatives of the private sector will make presentations on designing and implementing NAMAs.

In a statement on Saturday ahead of the meeting, Rwanda's Minister of Natural Resources Dr Vincent Biruta said hosting the meeting in Rwanda offers an opportunity for the country to share with other countries the experience on the development and implementation of NAMAs.

"The meeting is an opportunity for Rwanda to build network with experienced international organizations, share our experience with other countries and learn from the best practices for further implementation of national mitigation actions for climate change," Biruta said.

Discussions will focus on challenges, financial engineering and investment strategies for leveraging multi-source financing, measurement, reporting and verification (MRV).

"The meeting is also an opportunity to build capacity for the public and private entities and individuals on the various aspects and benefits of NAMAs," Biruta noted.

NAMAs, are voluntary climate change mitigation measures proposed and taken by developing country governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to boost sustainable development.

NAMAs can take the forms of regulations, standards, programs, policies or financial incentives.

The concept recognizes that different countries may take different actions in accordance with common but differentiated responsibilities.

It also emphasizes financial assistance from developed countries to developing countries.

Rwanda was chosen to host the meeting owing to its proactive approaches in its long term development strategies to fight against climate change.