PRESIDENT HOLLANDE SAID COP21 AMBITION ALLOWS OF 50% INCREASE CONCRETE PROJECTS

USPA NEWS - The French President Hollande, with the Secretary General of the United Nations, chaired a summit Tuesday, December 1st on "Climate Challenge, African solutions", organised in the framework of COP21, at Paris-Le Bourget.

WORLD BANK AFRICAN BANK FIGHTING DESERTIFICATION IN BILATERAL AFRICAN-FRENCH COOPERATION--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This summit brought together twelve African heads of state, the President of the African Union Commission and representatives of several governments and international institutions (World Bank, African Development Bank).---------------- During this summit, the Head of State said that the ambition COP21 allows the realisation of concrete projects in Africa, facilitates the adoption of a more sober carbon development model and supports adaptation to climate change observed on the continent. He recalled that Africa, which was not responsible for climate change, yet have suffered the most serious consequences. He also said sharing the desire of African countries that funding for Africa are mobilised as quickly as possible, without waiting for 2020.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Francois Hollande has pledged to bring more than 2 billion euros funding by France of renewable energy in Africa over the period 2016-2020. This effort will represent an increase of 50% of French bilateral commitments compared to the last five years. Projects funded by France will be part of the framework of the African Initiative on Renewable Energy, led by the African Union. They will implement both projects designed by African governments or organisations of civil society and local authorities. These programs will encourage the use of solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal according to the potential of each country.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  In the fight against desertification and adaptation to climate change, the President said that France gradually triple its bilateral commitments in Africa, reaching € 1 billion per year in 2020. This effort responds to the request of countries African that financing for sustainable development today are better spent on adapting to climate change. Development aid from France shall focus on projects within African initiatives of Great Green Wall, or preservation of Lake Chad and the Niger River.All these projects show that the agenda of solutions for the climate, major focus of COP21, will find many variations on the African continent. Official statement French Presidency.