Green Economy: a new start for Burkina Faso

Under the theme: “Green Economy in Burkina Faso: Achievements and Prospects” the National Green Economy Week was co-chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water and Sanitation, Dr. Augustin KABORE and the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Mr. Jean Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO.

The National Green Economy Week aimed to raise awareness among national actors on the challenges and prospects for the development of the green economy and the transparency of climate actions in Burkina Faso.

Additionally, it was the occasion to review the actions undertaken in Burkina Faso in the framework of the promotion and transition towards the green economy and the results recorded thanks to the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems.

The Transition Ceremony was an opportunity to showcase PAGE Burkina Faso achievements since 2014 and discuss perspectives. The country is starting a new phase in its efforts towards the Green Economy. “This is just an administrative goodbye. PAGE will remain in our practices in view of the achievements we have made together”, said Director general of the Green Economy and Climate Change Pamoussa Ouedraogo, when opening the Transition ceremony.

Then, the discussions allowed stakeholders to foresee a post-PAGE period with several opportunities to perpetuate the achievements of the Burkinabe government and deepen their commitment to the green economy. The first major achievement was the ownership of the government and the stakeholders, which was reflected with a high participation.

In his closing address, Minister of Environment, Water and Sanitation of Burkina Faso Dr. Augustin Kabore reaffirmed its engagement towards the Green Economy. “The page of the green economy is definitely open […] The recommendations made during these meetings are very relevant and worthy of interest. I am committed to examining them in collaboration with all stakeholders”, said the minister.

The Minister announced the institutionalisation of the National Green Economy Week and the establishment of a technical secretariat. It will now be held every year. The Minister of the Environment has instructed that a budget line be set aside to ensure the financing of the week and the functioning of the technical secretariat.

In addition to this action, which was strongly welcomed by the participants, recommendations for the valorisation of PAGE’s achievements were adopted, including the adoption and implementation of a communication campaign on the National Strategy for the Green Economy, the financing of continuing education on the green economy and sustainable agriculture at the National School of Water and Forests, etc.

It is understood that the implementation of these recommendations as well as their monitoring and evaluation is the responsibility of the SNEV Technical Secretariat. UN agencies such as FAO have expressed the wish to support Burkina Faso in sustaining some of the achievements. And the ILO’s PAGE agency intends to deepen its work on green jobs in Burkina Faso. In addition to the UN agencies, LuxDev expressed the wish to continue the work started on green jobs.

From 29 November to 1 December 2022 in Ouagadougou, the National Green Economy Week served as a platform for exchanges, experience sharing, and presentation of green products and technologies. It consisted of panel discussions, an exhibition of green products and technologies, working groups; and hosted the PAGE Burkina Faso Transition ceremony.

The first two days presented a range of actions implemented by the public sector, private sector, associations and NGOs and research on governance in the green economy by providing an overview of the strategic legal framework and the support of the national system of Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for climate transparency. Participants  shared the innovations in the field of renewable energies, energy efficiency, waste management in order to develop business opportunities and green job creation. Finally, the financing opportunities for a green transition were discussed.

Organised by the Government of Burkina Faso with the support of GGGI, and PAGE, the National Green Economy Week welcomed over 300 participants consisting of staff from public administration, research institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, private sector, etc. and staff and practitioners from development institutions and agencies in Burkina Faso.

PAGE brings together UNEP, UNDP, ILO, UNIDO and UNITAR to reframe economic policies around sustainability and leaving no one behind.

Source: PAGE