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There is abundant evidence that most the impact of climate changeimpacts will be felt in the water sector and this indeed seems to bethe case with widespread water stress, increased frequency and severityof droughts and floods, changes in rainfall, retreat of glacierswith impacts on major rivers, and the rising sea levels.African farmers’ traditional dependence on rain-fed agriculturemeans that the continent’s entire agricultural sector is especially atrisk, given prolonged periods of droughts in many regions. In addition,there is a huge threat to displace millions from the coast anddestroy infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, thus further leading to jobloses, and placing a major constraint on the attainment of the MDGs,sustainable growth and development.Indeed, a strong consensus has emerged among stakeholders thatAfrica faces the dual challenge of managing climate change and overcomingpoverty. Failing on one will guarantee failure on the other.Under such circumstances, adaptation is clearly the most pressingand urgent, if not the only viable line of action for large segments ofthe population in Africa. It offers the chance to manage, spread riskand enhance choices, thereby contributing to sustainable developmentwhilst dealing with social, economic and security threats posedby climate change. That is why Africa’s leaders have said repeatedlythat adaptation is an existentialist issue for the continent.Of course, adaptation without rapid and meaningful cuts in emissionsto maintain global warming at its lowest possible level, wouldbe futile. This explains the critical importance of a coherent Africanposition on climate change negotiations in general.By bringing together policy makers, academicians and practicingstakeholders we hope to establish a forum for dialogue, enhanceawareness raising and mobilize effective commitment and actionson the ground at country level.CCDA-I also aims to strengthen Africa’s position and participation ininternational climate change negotiations with a view to ensuringadequate reflection of the continent’s concerns and priorities in apost-2012 international climate change regime.Accordingly, this forum cannot be just another occasion to highlightthe different dimensions of climate change impacts. Rather, we mustIntegrating Africa297