How can effective dialogue be established between researchers and policy makers on climate change adaptation in Mali

Mali has an adequate and coherent institutional framework to implement an effective climate change adaptation policy. However, there is a problem of lack of human resources and skills, as well as lack of communication between institutions and between researchers and policy makers. To achieve effective dialogue between researchers and policy makers, researchers need to present their research results in a format that can be understood and used by policy makers. The National Climate Change Committee of Mali (CNCCM) would be an appropriate forum for such dialogue. Within CNCCM, the national science-policy dialogue platform on climate change, agriculture and food security in Mali (C-CASA Platform) could provide impetus for operationalizing the component on “adaptation to climate change, including risks and disasters”. Transforming Malian agriculture into climate-smart agriculture requires adequate financing. Such financing will be possible through more rational management of existing resources and stronger partnership of the various State organizations and departments identified in the study. Mali needs such a sustainable dialogue forum for experts and policy makers to agree on a shared vision of the challenges (research priorities), and translate the evidence brought by researchers into policy decisions. Farmers, through their representative farmer organizations and NGOs, need to be stakeholders in this dialogue forum. The conclusions are based on an interview of 17 key climate change adaptation institutions, collectively selected from members of the National Climate Change Committee in Mali.