GLOBAL
CONSORTIUM OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND NON-STATE ACTORS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND
CONFERENCE OF PARTIES (GCSCCC)
Meeting
summary for the Monthly Consultation of the Global Consortium of Civil Society
and Non-State Actors on Climate Change and Conference of Parties (GCSCCC) (October/01/2024)
QUICK
RECAP
The
meeting was a monthly consultation of the Global Consortium of Civil Society
and Non-State Actors on Climate Change and Conference of Parties (GCSCCC), and
the day marked Nigeria's 64th Independence Anniversary. The participants
discussed the weather conditions in their respective countries and the
preparations for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) in Azerbaijan. The
meeting also focused on the progress of various committees and working groups
of the Consortium, with agreement on the need for active participation and approval
for changes in the leadership of the respective Working Groups (WGs) that have
failed to perform assigned responsibilities, and thus prevented such WGs from
performing their functions.
NEXT
STEPS
• Dr.
Uzodinma Adirieje to initiate changes in leadership for non-responsive working
group chairpersons.
• Dr.
Uzodinma Adirieje to post terms of reference and links for working groups on
the general platform.
•
Peter Owiti to schedule and conduct inaugural meeting for the Annual Forum
Committee.
• Dr.
Uzodinma Adirieje to chair and schedule meeting for the Fundraising and
Resource Mobilization Committee.
• Dr.
Uzodinma Adirieje to follow up on website development progress with the member
who promised funding.
• New
members to join one working group of their choice after reviewing posted
information.
GLOBAL
CONSORTIUM CONSULTATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The
meeting was a monthly consultation of the Global Consortium of Civil Society
and Non-State Actors on Climate Change and Conference of Parties (GCSCCC). The
participants, including Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, Unice, and others, discussed the
weather conditions in their respective countries. It was noted that it was
raining heavily in some areas, while others were experiencing hot temperatures.
The meeting also marked Nigeria's 64th Independence Anniversary, which was
celebrated with a standing time with the Global Consortium. The participants
also discussed the possibility of singing "Happy Birthday" to
Nigeria.
COP29
PREPARATION AND TEAM INTRODUCTION
The
Chair of the GCSCCC/Steering Committee Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje welcomed delegates
to the consultation, barely one month before the upcoming COP29 event in
Azerbaijan. The draft agenda is proposed, moved by Dr. Goshima and supported by
Sinamakosa, and adopted. Participants introduce themselves briefly, after which
the Uzodinma emphasized the limited time available before COP29 and stresses
the importance of planning for that event.
NOTES
FROM THE LAST MONTHLY CONSULTATION
The
group reviewed the notes from the previous meeting on September 3rd and Dr.
Uzodinma reminded everyone of the monthly meeting schedule and emphasized
punctuality.
COP29
PREPARATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS DISCUSSION
The
meeting focused on the preparations for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP
29) in Azerbaijan. Peter Owiti reported on the progress of the preparations,
highlighting meetings with Member States and Civil Society, as well as
growing partnerships between civil societies in Azerbaijan and the global
South. Dr. Adirieje expressed appreciation for the engagement with Azerbaijan National
NGOs Forum and the efforts o ensure as many participants as
possible.
ADDRESSING
INACTIVE WORKING GROUP CHAIRPERSONS
Dr.
Uzodinma expressed concern that some working group chairpersons
are not actively participating or sending representatives, despite repeated
reminders. He called on delegates to suggest what should be done about this. Isaac
recommended instituting new leadership for inactive groups and committees or
proceeding with only the active groups. Unice agrees they should either find
new chairs for inactive groups or move forward with the committed groups. The
meeting approved to change the inactive Chairpersons since all the working groups
need to be active.
ROLES,
IMPORTANCE, AND LEADERSHIP CHANGES DISCUSSED
Dr.
Uzodinma Adirieje discussed the roles and importance of the Midyear Review Committee
and working groups in their operations. He further highlighted the need for
active working groups to ensure all members are well-informed and engaged. The
meeting also involved a discussion about the need for change in the non-active leadership
of the Working Groups and Committees which failed to live up to
expectations, thus hampering the functioning of the respective WGs. Following
the decision of the Meeting to change the leadership where the chairpersons
were not performing effectively, Mr. Peter Owiti suggested that the issue might
lie with the people in the working groups rather than the chairpersons, and
proposed that the chairpersons should encourage or ask for volunteers to
represent the group. The decision to change the leadership was approved by a
majority vote.
COP29 ADVISORY
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
report of this committee was called for but was not presented. There was no
one present at the meeting to give update report of the committee’s activities,
and no report/update was submitted by the Committee for this meeting.
APPOINTMENT
OF MEDIA ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE
Dr.
Uzodinma Adirieje explained the need for the Media Advisory subcommittee to
support the Steering Committee in the media component of its responsibilities. The
Meeting gave a unanimous approval to appointing members of the Media Advisory
subcommittee. Next, Dr. Adirieje inaugurated the Annual Forum Committee and the
Finance Committee, both of the GCSCCC, emphasizing the importance of the
chairpersons in all these committees. He encouraged the members of the
Fundraising and Resource Mobilization Committee to raise their hands,
indicating their presence.
GCSCCC
PROGRESS AND WORKING GROUP PARTICIPATION
Dr.
Adirieje said he would post the terms of reference and links to join
the working groups on the general platform. He emphasized that everyone
should only join one working group to ensure effectiveness. New members,
Eberechi and Cordelia, expressed their interest in joining the working groups
and their desire for more structured communication. The Chair advised them to
restrict themselves to one of the fourteen GCSCCC working groups.
ADJOURNMENT
DISCUSSION AND CLOSING REMARKS
The
conversation ended with a discussion on adjournment, led by Dr. Uzodinma
Adirieje. Miriam Menkety from the Women's Information Network in Nigeria moved
for adjournment, supported by Cordelia from the Africa Environmental
and Health Advancement Network. Dr. Ngozi was asked to provide closing remarks,
which she did, encouraging everyone to continue showing commitment and making
time for their respective platforms and committees. The conversation ended with
a mention of a "happy anniversary song" for Nigeria.
Sgd
Dr.
Uzodinma Adirieje
Chair,
GCSCCC
