Notes from the Inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change and the Conference of Parties (GCSCCC)

Notes from the Inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change and the Conference of Parties (GCSCCC) Date: Feb 5, 2024 10:35 AM West Central Africa The meeting was moderated by the GCSCCC Chairman Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), who requested participants to withhold posts until the minutes from the previous meeting were uploaded into the chat room. The main focus of the meeting was to review and adopt the previous meeting's minutes, make nominations into the Steering Committee of the GCSCCC, and discuss the upcoming UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP). The meeting also discussed and approved the establishment of a steering committee for the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change, with a focus on gender and geographical balance. Finally, the meeting concluded with the finalization of the steering committee's mission and vision, with the establishment of a WhatsApp platform for direct communication with active members. The Chairperson requested participants to provide their names, organizations, countries from where they are joining the meeting, Whatsapp numbers, and email addresses. He also requested participants to withhold any posts until he could upload the minutes from the previous meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to review the minutes from the previous meeting and discuss them. The minutes from the last meeting were read out, and participants were encouraged to discuss them. Esther Hindi moved the motion for the adoption of the report of the meeting and was supported by Blossom Iroegbu. The report was subsequently adopted. GCSCCC Steering Committee and the COPs The meeting discussed the upcoming UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP), with a focus on civil society's concerns and expectations. Topics covered included the impact of climate change on human health, the need for inclusivity in policy-making, and the ethical and social implications of climate change in the global south and developing countries. The steering committee shall serve as the Executive Council and provide leadership for the GCSCCC, emphasizing the importance of effective participation. The proposal was approved for the GCSCCC to become a well-funded global civil society movement to advocate for climate change, with the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) serving as the coordination organization. The meeting also discussed challenges and potential solutions related to climate adaptation and impact mitigation in the world. Steering Committee Formation for the Climate Change Consortium The meeting focused on the establishment of a steering committee for the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change and the COPs. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, the chairman of the Steering Committee, led the discussion. The attendees were asked to propose the number of members to be included in the steering committee. The votes were tallied, and the majority agreed on having 11 members in the committee. However, due to the need for an odd number, it was decided to have an odd number of members, with 11 receiving the highest frequency. However, there was a disagreement about the validity of some votes, with Esther Hindi and Bakam Yashim James offering different interpretations. The Chairman then undertook an open recounting of the votes with all members present. 6 persons voted for 9 members in the SC while 11 persons voted for 11-member SC. The Chairperson pronounced that 11 secured the highest number of votes, and so there shall be 11 members in the GCSCCC SC. The House unanimously approved this. The discussion also emphasized the importance of gender and geographical balance in the composition of the committee. It was agreed that all nominations would be considered, with an emphasis on regional and gender inclusivity. Two deputies were also approved to be appointed from the members of the SC. Nominations could be made for individuals who were not present, with the Secretariat responsible for consultation and appointment. The nominations into the SC were called for in the following manner in respect of each candidate/nominee: Name of the Candidate/Nominee; Organization; Country of Residence/Work; Whatsapp number; Email Address. Nominations not made with the above information were not to be considered. The chair was not permitted to nominate to maintain neutrality. The Consultation/Meeting mandated the GCSCCC Secretariat/Chair to make further considerations and finalize the appointments to the Steering Committee, considering also the nominations that have already been made, the need for inclusiveness, and gender considerations. The following nominations were duly made to the SC during this Consultation: 1. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2. Cerue Konah Garlo, Women Education Development Organization of Liberia 3. Khaitsa Susan Wasubire. Climate Action Network Uganda 4. Nicole S. Hendrickson. FirecircleTT To End ALL Abuse, Trinidad and Tobago 5. Serey Sam from Cambodia, Khmer National Liberation Front 6. Judith Kaulem, Poverty Reduction Forum Trust, Zimbabwe. 7. Folorunsho Dayo Oluwafemi. Founder/Executive Director initiative for climate change and renewable energy advocacy, Nigeria.d renewable energy advocacy , Nigeria. 8. Dr Sudhir Joshi, from India; Director - SDG Brigade India 9. Francine NABINTU for Congo Biodiversity Conservation Network in DRC. 10. Hashim Yussif from Ghana. General Secretary Progressive Democrats Association of Ghana. 11. Esther Hindi nominate myself, from Nigeria, ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN NIGERIA Finalizing Mission and Establishing Whatsapp Platform Dr Sudhir Joshi applauded the nomination process to the steering committee and congratulated the participants for the smoothness of the process. The Meeting approved the setting up of a Whatsapp platform for direct communication with active members, with Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje saddled with the responsibility of taking the lead on this initiative. The team also decided to use this meeting as their February meeting. The meeting closed with the nominations. Next steps 1. The GCSCCC Secretariat/Chair will consult to make appointments from the nominated candidates for the Steering Committee. 2. The 2nd (second) monthly consultation of the GCSCCC shall hold in March 2024, on a date to be confirmed by the Steering Committee leadership Below is the recording of the Inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change (02/05/2024) https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/-lN7zG2ktDbHUG2wEoP4Xl5uWW1B4zF13pCehXVOJLYn0HZ_J6BG7M6WN5-N35rR.rZLs3ZaoXrF-lD2n Passcode: 1Lj=iKD% Many thanks to everyone who attended the GCSCCC inaugural consultation. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje Chairperson, GCSCCC