Adv Mudenda in Azerbaijan for COP29 meeting

Sunday Mail Reporter

SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Advocate Jacob Mudenda arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday to participate in parliamentary meetings aligned with COP29, the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Scheduled for November 16-17, these meetings have been co-organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan (Parliament of Azerbaijan).

The meetings seek to galvanise parliamentary action on pressing climate issues, including crafting legislative frameworks to address global warming and ensure environmental sustainability.

The conference is running under the theme “In Solidarity for a Green World”.

In a statement yesterday, the Parliament of Zimbabwe said Adv Mudenda is accompanied by legislators Mr Sam Matema, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environment and Climate; and Ms Priscah Mupfumira, chairperson of the Thematic Committee on Climate Change.

“Speaker Mudenda’s delegation represents Zimbabwe’s commitment to addressing urgent climate issues from a parliamentary perspective with special accent on the need to craft legal frameworks that respond to climate change imperatives,” read the statement.

“The upcoming meeting will unite parliamentarians and experts from around the world to discuss critical topics such as climate finance, adaptation, technology, health, food sovereignty and human mobility.

“Key focus will be on encouraging parliamentarians to advocate for more ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) from their governments, ensuring compliance with the Paris Agreement as the 2025 deadline for NDC submissions approaches.”

During the meeting, Adv Mudenda is expected to highlight Zimbabwe’s legislative strides in mitigating climate change impacts.

“This year marks the second consecutive time the IPU has held its meeting at the site of the COP29 conference, reinforcing the centrality of parliamentary involvement in the climate change dialogue,” the Parliament of Zimbabwe added.

“The IPU has consistently emphasised the vital role of parliaments globally in addressing climate change exigencies through effective legislation, green budgeting and rigorous oversight of government commitments towards ameliorating climate change impacts.”

The parliamentary delegation includes six other legislators, including Lieutenant-General (Retd) Reuben Nyambuya, who is the Deputy President of the Senate, and Senator Sengezo Tshabangu.