Liberia is a small West African state with borders in the north with the republic of Guinea, in east with Ivory Coast, in the west, with Sierra Leone and in the south with the Atlantic Ocean. Agriculture is a major sector of Liberia employing more than 70% of the population. However, Liberia agriculture system is rain-fed, indicating heavy dependence on rainfall. Climate change has posed serious challenge on all sectors and has adversely threatened sustainable agricultural production in Liberia.
As a landlocked country, Mali is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate stress due to its socio-economic status, geographic location and climate-sensitive economy. Two thirds of the country is located in the arid Sahara and semi-arid Sahel. Mali is exposed to recurrent extreme events, including severe droughts with variable rainfall and catastrophic floods.
Togo is a predominantly rural country with a low urbanization rate of 37.7%. However, the urban population is growing annually by an average of 4.5% for all the country's cities and 5% for the capital, Lomé. With this growth dynamic, more than 50% of Togolese will live in an urban center in 2030. Challenges arise in areas such as land, water, energy, greenhouse gas emissions and waste. The aim of this technical assistance is to define a conceptual framework for "climate smart" municipalities in close cooperation with all stakeholders.
The coastal zone is one of the nation's greatest environmental and economic assets of Liberia. However, the evolution of coastline variations is considered as one of the most dynamic processes affecting this area. Liberia has initiated its Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) in 2019. Integrated Coastal Zone Management has been identified as one of the three and the most important technologies priorities for the country along with Flood Early Warning System and Armour or Rock Revetment.
FAST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The effects of climate change – recurring droughts, soil salinity and floods – are being felt keenly in the agricultural sector and preventing vulnerable population groups from achieving food security. Much of the equipment used in the sector is in a state of disrepair and little agricultural produce is processed.