CCDA5 opens in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

October 28, 2015

VIOLET MENGO

Victoria Fall, Zimbabwe

 

THE fifth African climate change and development conference opened yesterday with a call for the continent to demand a fair, just and binding treaty at the conference of parties (COP) taking place in Paris this December.

 

Economic Commission for Africa Director in charge of special initiative division Fatima Denton said Africa should demand a treaty abetted by a means of implementation that will align Africa’s commitment to development priorities.

 

Dr Denton said the priorities for Africa includes among others the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) that will support ambitions towards energy efficiency, agricultural transformation and demand financial commitments.

 

“In Paris, we demand that the sacred principle of common but differentiated responsibility be given a central place, but whilst we revive this principle, we must also use it to remind ourselves that the job is not done until we take our rightful place in our effort to curb emissions, irrespective of our levels of culpability,” Dr Denton said.

 

She said the meeting is about Africa’s collective security for today and tomorrow.

 

“The urgent agenda now, is to figure out how fast we can run to repair and respond to the critical cascading challenges ranging from alarming rate of degradation of water resources, soils, food systems, land, trees and forests that we rely on to sustain ourselves,” she said.

 

Dr Denton said Africa is keen to be a strong participant and contributor to a successful outcome in Paris.

 

The conference is being held under the theme dubbed: Africa, climate change and sustainable development: What is at stake at Paris and beyond.

Africa Development Bank representative Mary Monyau said the Bank has stepped up its support for African countries to build resilient to the impact of climate change.

 

“Between 2011 and 2014, the bank spent nearly US$7 billion towards climate finance in Africa,” she said.

 

Ms Monyau said the bank will step up climate finance by 40 percent to US$5 billion per year by 2020.

 

She said the investment will be delivered within the framework of five priority areas that build on the bank strategy for 2013 to 2022.

 

And Zimbabwe Vice president who officially opened the conference said Zambia and Zimbabwe are grappling with power deficit due to low water levels necessitated by low water levels in the water bodies.

 

He appealed to delegates to represent Africa effectively at COP21.

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