Chronicle Editor
Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau
CLIMATE change is a universal problem that requires all hands on deck towards the successful mitigation of its effects globally, President Mnangagwa has said.
The President arrived in Harare from Baku, Azerbaijan yesterday where he had joined over 100 world leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP29.
Speaking to the media upon touching down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, President Mnangagwa said climate change was a global phenomenon that required swift action.
To this end, he called on the Global North to walk its talk in terms of funding.
“We attended the Conference there, it was on climate change and many countries attended. The challenge is universal because climate change does not select.
“Rains are coming so countries have to look at that and of course co-operation between countries where regions may be affected. It is necessary that there is a global fund to assist those countries affected by climate change,” President Mnangagwa said.
During the COP29, views were shared on how the world can forge ahead while combating climate change.
As such, President Mnangagwa said, nations should be adequately prepared to mitigate the phenomena’s impact.
“It (COP29) was an occasion where Heads of State and Government were looking at mitigation measures against climate change because it will affect many countries, not only in Europe, but the rest of the world.
“So it was a discussion around how nations mitigate the impact of climate change. Many views were brought forward.
“Nations should prepare themselves to mitigate against climate change,” he said.
On the climate change financing front, President Mnangagwa said there was need for the Global North to act swiftly.
The North, he said, had contributed more to global warming, hence it was imperative that they avail funding so that the Global South is well equipped.
“There is a gap between what they (North) promise, and what they actually deliver. It happened in France, in Glasglow and it has happened now, but we will continue to talk about it and I believe we shall continue to engage them because they have contributed more to the effects of climate change than the South. So they admit that they have a responsibility, but I think its necessary that the purse that is being created is funded so that the South may benefit from it,” said President Mnangagwa.
Asked about the other engagements he had on the sidelines of the COP29, including with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) president Professor Benedict Oramah, the President said he could not get into details but “indeed we discussed”.
While in Baku, President Mnangagwa met the Zimbabwean Diaspora community in Azerbaijan as well as Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The President was welcomed by Vice-Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Cabinet Ministers, Service Chiefs and other senior Government officials.
Online Reporter