The International Conference “Islands, land of innovative solutions for all territories” aims to accelerate progress toward the implementation of the Paris Agreement and build a common message to COP23

On 5 and 6 October 2017 the government of the Reunion Island, with the support of the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development – nrg4SD, will host the second International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, entitled “Islands, land of innovative solutions for all territories” in Saint-Denis, Reunion Island. In light of the recent reality check pressed against the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation will focus on the acceleration of climate action, through highlighting innovative solutions and the challenges faced by islands and regional governments especially in adaptation.

Officially endorsed by the COP 23 Presidency, the Fiji Islands, the International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation will also bring the perspective of those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change: small states, coastal areas and islands. These territories are at the front line of the impacts of climate change: sea level rise, coastal erosion, the loss of low-lying systems and coastal ecosystems, migration, etc. Due to their high vulnerability and the urgency to take action in adaptation, these territories play a strategic role and are at the vanguard of developing innovative solutions in climate adaptation. Many regions serve as pilot territories to develop effective strategies to increase resilience.

“Particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change as insular territories, we are now more aware then ever of the urgent need to deeply modify on a global scale the behavior to invest, and at least diminish, the trend of global warming” highlights the Mr. Didier Robert, President of theRegional Council of Réunion and Vice-Chair for Africa for nrg4SD.

The program of the International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation also includes the presentation of flagship projects like RegionsAdapt, an initiative to inspire and support regional governments to act, collaborate and report efforts on climate change adaptation. Launched at UNFCCC COP 21 by nrg4SD, the initiative expanded from 27 founding members to over 60 members from all continents in the last two years. The presence of RegionsAdapt in the program of the International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation aims at demonstrating the strategic role of regional governments in climate adaptation and attesting a concrete response from regional governments to the call for action of the Paris Agreement.

The International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation will bring together multiple parts of society committed to work together to advance the development and implementation of solutions. To cover this broad range of topics, the event will contemplate the following sessions:

• Climate change adaptation in regional governments and islands: RegionsAdapt and other experiences.

• Islands and coastal areas, innovative solutions in adaptation – resilience and energy.
• Societal challenge: climate change impacts to social and economic sectors.

• Environmental challenge: biodiversity, forestry and protected areas.

Position Paper to COP 23

The International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation “Islands, land of innovative solutions for all territories”is an official preparatory event for regional governments towards the 23rd session of theUNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 23), taking place in Bonn, Germany, November this year. Therefore, regional governments and islands will take this occasion to unite and adopt a common Position Paper as an outcome of the Conference, which will be presented at COP23, sharing with the global

community their vital role in adaptation. Besides, the document will also showcase regions’ leading actions and main challenges in securing climate finance and building resilience, and thus suggestions for the effective realization of the Paris Agreement.

“The nrg4SD is proud to collaborate with the Reunion Island in the International Conference on Climate Adaptation “Islands: lands of innovative solutions for all territories”, whose results will be conveyed to the UNFCCC COP 23 as a clear message on our capacity and will to support the achievement of the global targets on climate change. We, regional governments, need still to show and emphasize our crucial role in the global agendas, and nrg4SD undoubtedly makes us stronger and more visible in our efforts.” affirm Ms. JokeSchauvliege, Minister for Environment, Nature andAgriculture of Flanders, and Co-Chair for the North for nrg4SD.

15 years Anniversary of nrg4SD and Reunion Island Declaration

nrg4SD’s 2017 Annual General Assembly (GA) will happen on the 4- 5 October, ahead of the second edition of the International Conference on Climate Adaptation “Islands, land of innovative solutions for all territories”. The GA is an important event for members to meet, plan and discuss projects, strategies and priorities to be adopted by the network. Furthermore, the 2017 GA will be a very special event as nrg4SD celebrates its 15th anniversary. Hence, the network will launch the Reunion Island Declaration, a joint statement reaffirming the commitment of nrg4SD member regional governments and associations to sustainable development, climate change, the urban agenda and biodiversity conservation. The Reunion Island Declaration is a reviewing addenda of nrg4SD founding charter, the Gauteng Declaration, which for all these 15 years drove the Network ambitious and principles.

In celebration to the recognition and increased participation of regional governments by recent global frameworks and agreements, the Declaration configures a milestone to nrg4SD future, by formally incorporating the Paris Climate Agreement, the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, the New Urban Agenda, among other global goals in its charter.

Moreover, the Reunion Island Declaration highlights nrg4SD flagship initiatives, as the RegionsAdapt and the Regions for Biodiversity Learning Platform, as crucial actions to enable the concrete implementation of these agreements.

The Reunion Island Declaration will be launched on the 5th of July at 12:30, just after the presentation of the nrg4SD flagship projects: RegionsAdapt, Regions for Biodiversity Learning Platform, SDGs, and the signature of the MoU between nrg4SD and the UN Environment for the BreatheLife Campaign.

All sections will be open for the public and nrg4SD welcomes all interested parties to join its events.

International Conference on Climate Adaptation “Islands, land of innovative solutions for all territories”

Date: 5-6 October 2017

Venue: Le MOCA (Montgaillard Culture et Arts) Route de Montgaillard, 97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France

DOWNLOAD Program: [ENGLISH], [SPANISH], [FRENCH]

R.S.V.P: https://www.eventbrite.es/e/nrg4sd-2017-general-assembly-registration-34462787124

Follow us on Twitter: #ICCAReunion2017

Press Conference: 05 October, 2017 – 16:00-16:15

nrg4SD’s 2017 Annual General Assembly (GA) – OPEN SESSION Date: 5 October 2017

Venue: Le MOCA (Montgaillard Culture et Arts) Route de Montgaillard, 97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France

nrg4SD open sessions:

• 9:00 to 12:30 – Presentation of of nrg4SD flagship initiatives: RegionsAdapt, Regions for Biodiversity Learning Platform, SDGs andBreatheLife Campaign, in collaboration with the UNEnvironment.

• 12:30 to 13:30 – Launch of Reunion Island Declaration and Celebration of the 15^th Anniversary of nrg4SD.

About nrg4SD

The Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development – nrg4SD – was established in 2002, and currently has over 50 members from 30 countries in four continents. The Network acts in three main fields: sustainable development, biodiversity and climate change, and seeks greater international recognition of regional governments, especially in the context of the global agendas at UN and EU levels. In addition, nrg4SD promotes cooperation among members, fostering exchange of information, know-how and best practices. In the field of climate change, nrg4SD runs RegionsAdapt, an initiative to inspire and support regional governments to act, collaborate and report efforts on climate change adaptation. Launched at UNFCCC COP 21, the initiative expanded from 27 founding members to over 60 members from all continents.

For more information: http://www.nrg4sd.org  /  regionsadapt@nrg4sd.org  / #RegionsAdapt

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Media contact

Thais Ferraz, Communications Officer, nrg4SD

1. +34 633 235 432 tferraz@nrg4sd.org