Recommendations for the approval of the Energies for Africa project and the creation of an energy-financing structure

Jurisdiction
African Union (AU)
Date
15 October 2015
Language
Type
Recommendation

African Union

Recommendations for the approval of the Energies for Africa project and the creation of an energy-financing structure

In accordance with Article 3 (1), (6) and (7) of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament which provides that the Pan-African Parliament:facilitates the effective implementation of the policies and objectives of the African Union;contributes to a more prosperous future for the peoples of Africa by promoting collective self-reliance and economic recovery;facilitates cooperation and development in Africa;In accordance with Rule 5 (b) of the Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament which provides that the PAP can organise debate on the objectives, policies, aims, programmes and activities of Regional Economic Communities, on all matters relating to the proper functioning of organs of the African Union;Recalling Rule 5 (c) of the Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament which provides that the PAP examines, discusses or expresses an opinion or gives advice on its own initiative or at the request of any of the Organs of the African Union, a Regional Economic Community or the Legislative Body of any Member State;Having attentively followed the presentation of Mr. Jean-Louis Borloo, President of the Energies for Africa Foundation;Considering the continent’s particularly low rate of electrification which is a disincentive for the economic and social development of the member countries of the African Union;Considering that the electrification of the African continent is one of the essential vectors for the development of the member countries;Considering the energy potential of Africa compared to the increasing energy needs of the continent’s economies and to the chronic deficit in electricity infrastructures in Africa;Concerned by the impact of such a shortage on the African peoples and economies, aggravated by the consequences of climate disruption;Noting that Africa is seriously affected by climate disruption while it emits very little CO2;Noting that the absence of a perennial energy greatly contributes towards deforestation through the use of fire wood and charcoal, while the African forest contributes to carbon capture and storage;Considering that access to electricity is a vital necessity for the African people, a guarantee for social peace and stability and a notable contribution to economic and social development;Noting that the international subsidies provided for since Copenhagen have not been established and fearing that this will again be the case during the 21st United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21) which will be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015;Approving the conclusions and proposals of the Energies for Africa project with a view to generally addressing the energy needs of the continent, coordinated with appropriate financing;Pursuant to the report of the President of NEPAD, unanimously adopted by the Heads of State and Government, during the African Union Summit on 15 June 2015, calling for the creation of an energy financing instrument in Africa, with adequate international subsidies;Conscious of the need to have a concrete, urgent, immediately operational agreement adopted at the COP21 in December 2015, which would enable the African continent electrification Agency to have the essential subsidies for mitigation and adaptation as from 2016.Whereas Rule 5 (d) of the Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament provides that the PAP makes recommendations and takes resolutions on any matters relating to the African Union and its organs, Regional Economic Communities and their respective organs, Member States and their organs and institutions;
RECOMMENDS THAT:
1.The African Union creates, from 2016, a Pan-African Agency for the annual financing of projects decided upon for electrification, an autonomous regional structure established in Africa, with legal entity, with the mission of mobilising the essential additional resources, as subsidies, in particular for mitigation financing and the adaptation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
2.The developed countries, the main CO2 emitters, grant essential subsidies of 5 billion US dollars a year, according to the terms of distribution and bonus-malus aimed at the Energies for Africa project;
3.The international community support any African effort aimed at seeking and obtaining, by COP21, the amount of subsidies provided for in the project;
4.The President of the Pan-African Parliament advocates all national and international authorities, including the governments of the main CO2 emitters who are parties of Annexe 1 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, particularly the President of the Republic of France, President of the COP21 and the UN Secretary General, with a view to obtaining a concrete, immediately operational agreement, which would enable the African continent electrification Agency to have the essential subsidies for mitigation and adaptation as from 2016.
Midrand, 15 October 2015
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