OREANDA-NEWS. December 02, 2015. The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, was one of the first high-profile visitors to the Great Green Wall project, a virtual film on climate change challenges and efforts afoot by grass root communities to build resilience and adaptation mechanisms against the effects of climate change.

“I think it is quite an innovative technology permitting visitors to not only listen to what is happening on the ground in other countries, but to live the realities by watching this virtual film,’’ Adesina observed after watching the film.

The AfDB President visited some major exhibitions on the opening day of climate talks on November 30 in Paris, including the climate change adaptation and resilience building projects that were financed by the Bank.

“We are witnesses of the realities of climate change and are ready to support innovative approaches that will help communities in Africa better face these challenges,” Adesina told the coordinator of the Great Green Wall project.

“This project is just one and we are looking forward to producing more films for a wider distribution and outreach,” said Abdoulaye Dia, Executive Secretary of the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall.

Adam Vahed, Managing Director of APACHE in the UK, the firm that conceived the virtual film project pointed out that they had worked in collaboration with a mobile phone company to bring the technology to fruition.

The technology uses six special cameras with varied field activities. The software gets the different pictures and fit them together, producing a four-minute virtual film.

“The film takes the viewer to the real actions on the ground, to better see and evaluate the impact of climate change in vulnerable communities as well as illustrating the different adaptation efforts,” Vahed said.

The Paris climate conference has opened with hope for an ambitious programme and with the expectation of a more constructive climate agreement, many observers have said.

“From every indication, matters have taken off in Paris on a serious note with the massive presence of several heads of state and delegations. Whatever agreement is reached, however, must be ambitious enough, clearly showing solidarity with frontline victims of climate change impact, especially in Africa,” said Senegalese President Macky Sall after making the rounds and visiting the various stands in the African Pavillon.