The 27thUN Climate summit is already underway till next week in Egypt’s coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh. It is essential to recognize that this is the 27thmeeting of the parties in about 30 years. Also, remember that Africa is the continent that contributes the least to global emissions – about 4 percent.

In 2015, in Paris, when the Paris agreement was being passed, Africa was promised by the COP 21 presidencyLaurent Fabius that the continent would be recognized foritsspecial needs and circumstancesafter.

But till today,it has been a push and pulls, and Africa is yet to get this promise honored. This year the agenda still did not make it to the final agenda to be negotiated. What are the special needs and circumstances Africa has been pushing for recognition? Why should Africa concentrate on buildingeffective local and national institutions to adapt to climate change?

A conversation with David Lesole, a Climatologist with the department of meteorological services in Botswana. Former African Group of negotiators (AGN) on climate change and a former climate change lecturer at the University of Botswana.