The Government of Canada invests to support the leadership of sub-Saharan African women in climate negotiations

October 19, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario

The fight against climate change and gender equality are priorities for the Government of Canada. Women play an important role in fighting climate change and advancing clean growth. That is why the Government of Canada is following through with this commitment by holding, with France, a training workshop on climate negotiations for 15 francophone negotiators from the sub-Saharan African region—in Dakar, Senegal—from October 22 to 25, 2018.

The workshop, which will be offered in French for the first time, aims to help participants develop the personal skills, competencies, and knowledge they need for international negotiations, decision making, and the development of climate change policies. These skills will be especially useful ahead of the 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24), which will be hosted in Poland, in December 2018.

The project follows the launch of the Canada-France Climate and Environment Partnership by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron, in April 2018. This partnership includes several Franco-Canadian cooperation actions for 2018–2019, such as including climate in development assistance actions.

In addition to supporting the Franco-Canadian participation in climate issues, this workshop encourages a diversity of voices at the negotiation table, by supporting the participation of francophone women.

Developed and funded by Canada and France, the workshop is also a partnership with the Institut de la Francophonie pour le développement durable and the Women’s Environment & Development Organization.