UNCCD COP15 Great Green Wall Head of States Meeting: statement by Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw
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9 May 2022
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Statement
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Desertification
Excellencies,
The Great Green Wall is an historic opportunity. An opportunity for the Sahel - and for each of the GGW states - to deliver something truly remarkable. A renaissance for land and the natural world. And - just as important - true resilience and a renaissance for communities on the frontline of climate change and poverty.
The GGW is an inspiration and a beacon of hope for humanity worldwide. At a time when people need inspiration and hope. For that Excellencies, you are to be congratulated.
However, projects of this ambition and magnitude do not materialize on inspiration and hope alone. They need financial support. Good governance. And coordinated action.
The pledges made at the One Planet Summit in January 2021 totaled USD19 billion for the period until 2025. So, while progress is there, we cannot congratulate ourselves.
Hope is not yet turning into action at the scale or pace you aspire to. Because collectively, we are struggling to turn those pledges into projects and investments.
Understandably, this is leading to frustrations. There are, indeed, lots of bottlenecks.
To my mind though, two critical bottlenecks have emerged.
- Coordination at national level.
- The complexity of accessing financing – the donor system.
Firstly, I am convinced genuine national ownership – led by you, your Excellencies - and a national coalition for action would make progress happen faster.
In each country, the GGW is a massive undertaking. With the best will in the world, neither the national Agency of the GGW, as currently set up, nor a single line ministry can make all the necessary wheels turn. At national level, a more joined-up “all of government” response is needed. The Ministry of Planning and Development or Treasury have an important role to play. Along with the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, Infrastructure or Energy as technical focal points. Concerned local authorities, the private sector, civil society and research should be fully engaged. But government – at all levels – can take steps to assume its responsibilities more effectively.
In the case of Senegal, we noted the creation of Presidential Council, led by his Excellency President Macky Sall, that is guiding and accelerating this work in Senegal. Each country will need to establish their own institutional framework. We would however suggest you consider setting up a political oversight, close to you.
Secondly though, we would all acknowledge that the current system for accessing the pledged financing is complex and cumbersome at best. International partners are better coordinated than ever around a common results framework. But to access the financing, currently, your officials must navigate the different processes and timelines of the ten international partners who have committed to support you. Accessing much of the funds will take a great deal of upfront investment of staff resources and a considerable time. With your bold and ambitious timeline, this business-as-usual approach will not work.
As Heads of State and Government, you might consider requesting the simplification and streamlining of the way financing is channeled to you – potentially through a common window, joint assessment or more co-funding of projects. You may want to task your Ministries in charge of Planning or Economy to lead the Programmatic Coordination with donors. We may need to follow adequate, perhaps specific procedures. It is certainly recommended that each Government set up a robust programmatic team to unlock the financing.
Excellencies, a Sahelian renaissance awaits. With the restoration of land and nature and the right investments for a resilient and vibrant future, we can capitalize on the inspiration and hope and the unique opportunity that the GGW offers.
Thank you.
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