RCOY SOUTHERN AFRICA 2024

The Southern African region is currently facing an escalating climate crisis with extreme impacts on its environment, economy and society. The region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture, high levels of poverty and limited adaptive capacity. Recent statistics show the severity of the situation across the Southern African countries.

For instance, Malawi has experienced devastating floods from cyclone Freddy and prolonged droughts from El Nino, affecting over 1.5 million people and causing extensive damage to crops and infrastructure. In Mozambique, Cyclone Idai in 2019 led to catastrophic flooding, displacing hundreds of thousands and resulting in significant loss of life and economic setbacks. Zimbabwe has seen a drastic reduction in rainfall, with more than 7.7 million people facing food insecurity due to failed harvests. Eswatini, similarly, struggles with irregular and unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts, impacting our predominantly agricultural economy. These challenges underscore the urgent need for all-inclusive and innovative solutions to enhance the region’s resilience to climate impacts. This context sets the stage for the critical role of the YOUNGO Regional Conference of Youth in climate change (RCOY) Southern Africa in 2024.

Need for RCOY Southern Africa
RCOY Southern Africa is set to take place from 25 to 27 September 2024, is a vital platform for addressing the unique climate challenges faced by the region. As the official children and youth constituency to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), YOUNGO facilitates youth engagement in global climate negotiations and advocacy. The RCOY Southern Africa aims to institutionalise further the meaningful leadership of young people, catalyse collaborative action and amplify youth voices in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for Southern Africa and beyond.

In 2024, the importance of RCOY Southern Africa is heightened by the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters. The conference serves as an important space for youth to exchange knowledge, share best practices and collaborate on solutions tailored to the specific needs of their communities. By empowering young people, RCOY Southern Africa fosters a new generation of climate leaders who can drive change at both local and regional levels.

The Theme for this year
This year’s theme for RCOY Southern Africa, ‘Shaping Financial Resilience for Children and Youth-led Climate Adaptation’, addresses a fundamental aspect of climate resilience that is often overlooked. Financial resilience refers to the ability of individuals and communities to withstand and recover from economic shocks, ensuring long-term stability and growth despite difficult conditions. In the context of climate adaptation, financial resilience involves access to funding, financial literacy and the development of economic strategies that reduce vulnerability to climate impacts.

Southern Africa’s high dependency on agriculture and natural resources makes it particularly prone to climate-induced financial instability. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones can devastate crops, livestock and infrastructure, leading to significant economic losses and increased poverty. For instance, in Zimbabwe, agriculture accounts for approximately 17 per cent of GDP and employs about 60 per cent of the population. However, recurrent droughts have led to crop failures, undermining food security and economic stability.

Similarly, in Eswatini, the agriculture sector is the second largest contributor to the economy after the manufacturing sector. Frequent droughts and erratic rainfall patterns have severe consequences for food security and livelihoods, exacerbating poverty and limiting economic opportunities. Enhancing financial resilience in such contexts is crucial for ensuring that communities can adapt to and recover from climate impacts. This year’s theme is particularly relevant for Southern Africa as it addresses the immediate and long-term needs of its most vulnerable populations. By focusing on financial resilience, RCOY Southern Africa aims to equip young people with the tools, knowledge and resources necessary to lead effective climate adaptation efforts.

Focus on Eswatini
In Eswatini, where youth is 70 per cent of the population, building financial resilience is not just a strategy but a necessity. Empowering young people with financial skills and resources can lead to more sustainable agricultural practices, diversified income sources and ultimately, a more resilient green economy. For example, the practice of agreocology and promoting alternative livelihoods such as agro-processing can help mitigate the impacts of climate variability.

Moreover, financial literacy programmes can enable youth to better manage their resources, invest in resilient infrastructure and access microfinance opportunities. These initiatives can create a ripple effect, strengthening community resilience and contributing to national economic stability. By focusing on children and youth, the conference ensures that the next generation is prepared to tackle the climate challenges they will inevitably face. Thus, its important that the young people of Eswatini attend this conference with the support from our government, civil society and private sector.

RCOY Southern Africa 2024, is a vital initiative that addresses the critical intersection of finance and climate resilience. By empowering young people with the tools, knowledge and resources to lead climate adaptation, the conference is fostering a generation of resilient and innovative leaders. In the face of the severe climate challenges that Southern Africa faces, such initiatives are not just important, but they are essential for ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for the region.

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