AS part of efforts to prepare decision and policy makers to better understand and ultimately take actions to reduce climate risks in Africa, the African Science Academies (ASA) has promised to provide scientific and strong evidence base on how best to tackle the effects of climate change at its eight yearly meeting to be hosted by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS).NAS is a body of distinguished scientists engaged in scientific research dedicated to the development and advancement of evidence-based science, technology and innovation issues in Nigeria.The NAS will between November 12 and 14, 2012 in Lagos host the eight Annual Meeting of ASA (AMASA 8) with theme, 'Climate change in Africa: Using science to reduce climate risks.'President NAS, Prof. O. Ibidapo-Obe, in a statement said AMASA 8 would focus on the African perspective on issues of adaptation to and mitigation against the risks associated with climate change in the health and agricultural sectors.He said climate change continues to manifest globally and all African countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa are vulnerable to the risks that come from these changes.Ibidapo-Obe, however, said that climate change and the resulting risks are unfortunately not perceived as immediate and present-day phenomena, therefore, the responses towards preparedness and mitigation are kept in focus, or on the agenda of governments and other development organisations.'As such, policy and decision makers are often not well informed on the choices to make in allocating scarce resources for emerging environmental risks and challenges,' he said.The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos said NAS is uniquely positioned to bring scientific knowledge to bear on the policies and strategic direction of the country and institutionalise proven methods of consistently impacting policies in the country through scientific evidence.He said other Africa countries, in the same way, play an active role in evidence-based policymaking in their countries; and to enhance individual capabilities, the African academies have begun to collaborate more and meet yearly.Ibidapo-Obe said participants expected include policy makers and officials of relevant government ministries all over Africa, members of the ASA, as well as academies in Europe and United States, experts on climate change science, policy makers from Africa, development partners, academia and civil society organisations.He said the conference's goals include: To bring together key stakeholders to focus on the occurrence of climate change in Africa and its impact on public health and food security; to advocate for an inclusive science based agenda on adaptation to, and mitigation of climate risks in Africa; and to initiate a process for the long term engagement of ASA with their governments and relevant stakeholders on climate change issues.
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