Assembly/AU/Dec.603(XXVI)Rev.1 Page 3 Agreement that adaptation is a global challenge, and of the importance of support for and international cooperation on adaptation efforts, taking into account the needs of developing countries; and STRESSES the importance of coordination and synergy between the technical working group and the African Risk Capacity (ARC), ClimDev-Africa as well as other relevant initiatives and efforts; 13. EXPRESSES APPRECIATION for the support by G7 and G20 for the AREI, as well as for the Joint Statement on Advancing the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, United States of America, United Kingdom and EU reiterating expressions of support for the initiative from G7 Leaders in June 2015 and G20 energy ministers in October 2015, and jointly committing to mobilize at least $10 billion USD cumulatively from 2015 to 2020; ALSO EXPRESSES APPRECIATION for the support provided by the United Nations Secretary General to the Africa Adaptation Initiative; 14. CALLS ON AMCEN, the Commission, AfDB, to take appropriate measures, under the guidance of CAHOSCC, to ensure finalization of the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) and the operationalization and implementation of the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI); 15. REQUESTS AfDB to take appropriate measures in consultation with AMCEN and the Commission to complete its work on the instrument establishing the AREI governance framework and related establishment documentation, which shall be adopted by the AREI Governing Board at its initial meeting convened by CAHOSCC; 16. COMMENDS the African leaders and host of COP 21 for the Special session held on the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative, and the Lake Chad Basin, and other African initiatives presented during COP 21 in Paris, France and REQUESTS the Secretariat of the UNFCCC, other UN Agencies and Development Partners to recognize the importance of Africa’s special needs in addition to the Least Developing Countries (LDCs) in the implementation of the historic Paris Agreement as this remain key to the realization of Africa’s green growth path; 17. CALLS ON Partners to continue to support Member States and the Commission in addressing the adverse impacts of climate change on the socio-economic development on the continent; 18. REQUESTS the Commission to report on the implementation of this decision to the Ordinary Session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2017.