derricksinjela.blogspot Zambia’s Statement at the Local Climate Solutions for Africa (LOCS) 2013 Congress ====== By Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Harry Kalaba ====== Dr. Mohammad Gharib Bilal, Vice President of the Republic of Tanzania Hon. Hawa. A. Ghasia, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office Mr David Cadman, President, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability Dr.AlbericKacou, UN Resident Coordinator Honourable Members of Parliament Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Tanzania All Delegates Firstly let me thank the Government and the people of Tanzania for hosting the Local Climate Solutions for Africa (LOCS) 2013 Congress. I would also like to thank the City of Dar es Salaam, together with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) for inviting me to address this august gathering. I wish to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Daniel Chisenga, Mayor of Lusaka, and the Mayor of Kitwe, Town Clerk and Mayor of Ndola and my entire delegation. Chairperson This congress being convened under the theme “Africa transitioning: embracing urbanization, responding to change and harnessing opportunities” underscores the importance of supporting local action in responding to issues of climate change. The local communities are the most important people on the ground as they are the most affected by the adverse effects of climate change. Chairperson, The Zambian economy has continued to record significant growth over the past years in the sectors of mining, agriculture, tourism and construction, this has resulted in environmental and social impacts including urbanization, increased natural resource exploitation, pollution, changing consumer patterns and subsequent pressure on the environment. Development in all its forms should incorporate means for safeguarding the environment and for ensuring sustainable use of resources; the government of the Republic of Zambia has continued to put in place mechanisms to promote sound environmental and natural resources management. The concept of a Green Economy has emerged in the recent past as a holistic and programmatic approach that reinforces the three pillars of sustainable development - economy, social welfare and the environment. The key elements of a green economy include investing in natural capital; advocating for poverty alleviation; promoting renewable energy and energy use efficiency; promoting low carbon technologies and enhancing natural resource management. A green Economy is therefore expected to deliver new sources of income and jobs; low carbon emissions, efficient and reduced use of resources, and reduced generation of waste and pollution while contributing to broader societal goals of sustainable development, social equity and poverty reduction. Chairperson, Over the past year, Zambia has made significant progress on developing a conducive policy, strategic, institutional and analytical framework for climate change. Resilience to climate change has been comprehensively mainstreamed into Zambia’s Sixth National Development Plan. Zambia’s recently drafted National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) provides a good basis for a Climate Change Programme. Zambia has also adopted a Disaster Management Act which will help address current climate-related disasters and make development more climate resilient from the local to the national level. All our development efforts and the great score we have made over the past decade risk to be reversed by climate change. Clearly we cannot continue with talking the talk but rather we should walk the talk. The need for adaptation in Zambia is driven by the fact that the country is already facing serious adverse effects of climate change that are threatening her development prospects and could complicate further the efforts to improve social conditions of the people. Chairperson, The 19thSession of the Conference of Parties (COP19) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Warsaw, Poland presents another opportunity for Parties to demonstrate their commitment to tackle the global problem of climate change. It is therefore, our expectations that the outcome at COP19 in Warsaw will respond to the urgent needs of Africa and other developing countries, and in the process reaffirm the international community’s recognition and continued support for the multilateral process, without which our countries would be subjected to the continued and vicious cycle of underdevelopment and poverty. In this regard, My Government stands ready to provide necessary support to the process to ensure that Parties agree on outcomes in all important aspects such as Finance, Adaptation, Technological Development and Transfer and Mitigation that will mobilize and catalyse implementation of climate change programmes in Africa. This gathering should therefore provide a platform upon which all concerted efforts will be built to answer the challenges and aspirations that are a daily phenomenon for all cities in Africa regarding the issues of climate change. And local solutions. Thank you. Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Harry Kalaba ==== Hon. Harry Kalaba at the opening plenary of the Local Climate Solutions for Africa (LOCS) 2013 congress which was officially opened by the Vice President of the Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Mohammad Gharib Bilal on Wednesday 30th October, 2013. It is being attended by delegates from Africa and the rest of the World. The Dar es Salaam City Council together with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) invited Hon Harry Kalaba, Minister for Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection to the Local Climate Solutions for Africa (LOCS) 2013 congress being held from 30th October to 1st November, 2013 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The congress is being convened under the theme “Africa transitioning: embracing urbanization, responding to change and harnessing opportunities.” The congress is organized by ICLEI Africa to showcase innovative solutions in responding to Africa’s urbanization, infrastructure and climate challenges at the local level. Kind Regards, Diniwe Zulu Public Relations Officer Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Lusaka derricksinjela.blogspot/ derricksinjela.blogspot Choose an emoticon
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 16:09:53 +0000
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