adminFaith Mandizha
ENVIRONMENT, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu, officially opened the Pre-COP27 workshop with a call on delegates to contribute towards the global discourse on climate change and development.
Speaking at the 27th conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Harare yesterday, Minister Ndhlovu urged delegates to push the national development agenda and mobilisation of international climate finance.
“We are pleased that the call for negotiators has been done publicly, which is the intention of the Second Republic to have an inclusive approach.
“While Zimbabwe is joining the rest of the world in cutting its emissions, it is well aware of the impact of the global actions such as the phasing out of coal-fired power stations on its economy.
“The country calls for a gradual phase out that takes into consideration our levels of economic development, the need to reduce energy poverty and time for communities and economic systems to adjust,” said the Minister.
He said it is how climate change is negotiated that will set the tone if there will be an achievement of national aspirations in the development strategy and Vision 2030.
“As we go for this important conference, let us all be guided by our national development aspirations as envisioned in Vision 2030 and articulated in the National Development Strategy 1.
“Emission reduction should go alongside economic development, green industrialisation, infrastructure enhancement, beautification of cities, enhancing e-mobility, climate smart agriculture and efforts towards eliminating poverty in all its forms.”
He encouraged Zimbabweans to take the global recovery from Covid-19 as an opportunity and a doorway to greater achievements.
“The global recovery from coronavirus should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen resilience, tackling climate change, and providing economic opportunities through the adoption of greener technologies.
“We also welcome you to our Zimbabwe Climate Pavilion, where each day we will have events to report back into the intense climate negotiations.
“At the same time, we are promoting our Zimbabwean hospitality.
“We ask you as Zimbabweans to invite participants at COP27 to ZimBho and also visit to experience the beauty of our country.
“This is what we want to protect from the global climate catastrophe. “
The Government is also working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to come up with solid mitigation for climate change.
UNDP’s Tafadzwa Dhlakama said:
“I’m looking forward to Zimbabwe to come up with a strong solid position and wave the Zimbabwean flag.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter