The Journey
24 October 2022ACCARD calls for action
The African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative (ACCARD) recommended an active, game-changing, bottom-up United Nations (UN) decision-making process. ACCARD called for an international platform for indigenous peoples and local communities in the frontline of water challenges and deltas.
6 November 2022The UNFCCC Conference of the parties (COP27)
At the United Nations Framework Climate Conference in Sharm El-Sheik, a number of organisations and Governments came together to progress this recommendation. These were: ACCARD, Nigeria’s Bayelsa State Government, Center for Capacity Building at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Akassa Development Foundation and partners from Bangladesh and Pakistan. They came together to showcase the heart-breaking and devastating examples of worsening climate change-induced challenges in our deltas and to find sustainable solutions to the yearly flooding incidences.
This was brought into particularly sharp focus by the 2022 inundation in Bayelsa State Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh which flooded farmlands, homes, business and caused many deaths.
23 March 2023United Nations Consultation meeting in New York
Entitled “Integrated Highland to Ocean (H2O) Action for Disappearing Deltas: Towards a UN Convention for Conserving River Deltas” a meeting was held at the United Nations in New York. This meeting discussion led by African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative (ACCARD) was in collaboration University of Vermont USA; Water Environment Forum Pakistan, Akassa Development Foundation, Transboundary Water In-cooperation Network (TWIN), Bennington College USA, Bayelsa State Government, Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Senate Committee on Environment and Climate.
4 December 2023Deltas UNite unveiled
At the 28th Session of the United Nations Conference of Parties, Climate Conference in Dubai (December 4th 2023) DeltasUNite and the United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD) were presented to all stakeholders. These stakeholders included a large Government delegation from Nigeria lead by the Bayelsa State Governor and included his Excellency, Senator Duoye Diri who was joined by his colleague from Taraba State, His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas. The Pakistani Government and senate delegation was led by Senator Sherry Rehman and included Senator Seemee Ezdi, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Asim Khan Goraya.
December 2023 – March 2025The consolidation of an emerging UN convention for River Deltas (UNCCRD)
Several events were organised to facilitate a global dialogue, call for contributions, and sharpen the governance and policy framework.
These included community dialogues and meetings to amplify youth and local community voices in the convention before it is operationalised.
March 17 2025UNCCRD Delta Summit: The Asian Institute of Technology
The first biannual UNCCRD Delta Summit brought over 160 stakeholders from 24 countries across four continents.
These stakeholders included governments, academia, private enterprises, civil society, and the United Nations to discuss these pertinent issues facing the river deltas.
Attendees collaborated to recommend actionable steps, programs, and policies to address the challenges faced by global deltas. These included: Promoting environmental protection, enhance indigenous participation, supporting gender inclusivity, fostering global collaboration, and contributing to the sustainable governance of river deltas.
The specific objectives of the summit were:
Raise awareness of delta related issues globally.
Facilitate equitable dialogue between all stakeholders – including community representatives, youth, academia, government
and non-government organizations.Coordinate stakeholders’ inputs to the emerging United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD) through
a co-created draft White Paper for delivery to the UN.