‘Call of Marrakech,’ is a call to action

Violet Mengo

Marrakech, Morocco

A WEEK away to the close of climate change convention taking place in Marrakech, COP 22 president Salaheddine Mezouar and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) executive secretary Patricia Espinosa held a joint press conference to mark the halfway point of the twenty second session of the climate change summit.

Mr Mezouar took time explaining progress made in the negotiations ahead of the High Level Segment scheduled to take place on November 15, 2016, with an opening ceremony in the presence of his Majesty (HM) Mohammed VI of Morocco, UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon, scores of Heads of States and Government and participating delegations.

November 15 will also mark the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA1).

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.

It was signed on the 12 of December 2015 during the Conference of Parties the twenty first session held in Paris.

This was after the conditions that were set during the COP21 in terms of its entry were met on October 5th, 2016.

The two conditions that triggered the entry into force of the Paris agreement include the ratification of the agreement by 55 parties to the convention on climate change.

The second one was that those particular 55 countries should have the total emission of greenhouse gases amounting to 55 percent of the global emissions. 

The two conditions were fulfilled on October 5th 2016. As of today, 109 parties to the convention have ratified representing 76.53 percent of the global total emission of greenhouse gases.

From October 5th when the target was met, the Paris Agreement was scheduled to enter into force 30 days after the target was reached on November 4^th, 2016.

The opening day of the High-Level Segment on Tuesday will include the reading of the “Call of Marrakech”, which is a call to action that is a result of a highly inclusive consultative process among Parties. 

The COP president told journalists that so far 105 parties have now deposited their instruments of ratification of the Paris Agreement constituting an important political signal in the fight against climate change. 

Mr Mezouar encouraged remaining parties to ensure their countries to ratify the Paris Agreement in their respective countries to keep the important climate action momentum.

At the halfway point of COP22, slated to wrap up on November 18, the COP22 President spoke with a positive tone, saying, “negotiations are going will and are exemplified by a highly inclusive and consultative process among all Parties.”

He also used the time to underscore positive actions taken by civil society in the lead up to and during COP22.

He particularly pointed to the powerful commitment and engagement of the youth population, who participated in the Conference of Youth (COY12) in Marrakech from November 4 to 6, and who have been highly active in both the Blue and Green Zones during the first week of the COP.

The COP22 President also pointed to the fact that progress is being made on the Paris Agreement rulebook and that important announcements would be made next week regarding capacity building for developing countries.

He also underscored the importance of making headway during the UN Climate Conference on the question of climate finance especially as it relates to matching bankable projects with climate funds and mobilising private sector finance to leverage public money.

Zambia is actively participating in the negotiations with a boost that came from Parliament on the ratification of the Paris Agreement.

This entails is that all the provisions and obligations for parties as contained in the Paris Agreement are now in force and parties have already started undertaking their obligations.

For instance, Zambia through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) gave herself a target of reducing emissions through the implementation of three strategic programmes; sustainable forestry management, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy and efficiency. The country aims to reduce emissions at an average of 47 percent.

Following several questions from journalists on the U.S. Presidential election results, the COP22 President answered, “the American people are very engaged and committed to the fight against climate change.”

In her remarks, UNFCCC Patricia Espinosa thanked Salaheddine Mezouar for his tremendous leadership as COP22 President.  She also enthusiastically announced that, “more than 90 countries have moved from Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to formal Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This transition has happened in record time which confirms the world’s commitment to addressing climate change.”

For the first time, the Head of State President Edgar Lungu is on Tuesday expected for the high level segment. Ministers coming along include Harry Kalaba Foreign Affairs, Minister of Tourism and Arts Jean Kapata, Minister of Energy Brian Mabumba. Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Lloyd Kaziya has been with the negotiation team for three days now. Members of Parliament for Muchinga Howard Kunda and BangweuluAnthony Kasandwe are also part of the team of negotiators.