Debra Matabvu in ANTALYA, Türkiye
VICE President Dr Constantino Chiwenga today leads the Zimbabwe delegation at the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), where the country is expected to address other world leaders on renewable energy and energy transition among other issues.
VP Chiwenga, who arrived here yesterday evening, is representing President Mnangagwa at the global climate summit, which brings together world leaders to discuss strategies for accelerating climate action, strengthening resilience and supporting vulnerable countries.
Dr Chiwenga is expected to address a high level meeting this afternoon themed “Clean energy transition and electrification 35 by 35 Powering the Future.”
The meeting is expected to be attended by heads of State and Government, ministers, country representatives and various stakeholders.
In an interview, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said Zimbabwe would use the global platform to highlight the effects of climate change on livelihoods, food production and energy security while appealing for increased international support.
“Zimbabwe is going to articulate the impact of climate change on our people, our environment, our food systems and the security of our energy generation capacity, because we are a country that is dependent on rainfall and water generation for electricity,” she said.
Zimbabwe will also showcase its carbon trading framework, introduced in line with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which provides for international cooperation through carbon markets.
Dr Ndlovu said the country would explain how it was implementing the framework while highlighting the need for international financing to support climate adaptation programmes.
“So we will be showcasing our ability and at the same time appealing to the international community on climate finance for adaptation, because our people are facing serious challenges because of climate change,” she said.
The appeal for climate financing comes as Zimbabwe faces the prospect of another challenging agricultural season following the devastating 2024/25 drought, the worst the country had experienced since 1980.
The anticipated weather conditions pose a threat to agricultural production and national food security as farmers prepare for the 2026/27 summer cropping season.
Government has, however, approved a comprehensive Summer Plan incorporating drought mitigation measures to cushion farmers against the anticipated effects of El Niño.
The plan is anchored on six strategic pillars, namely strengthening the Strategic Grain Reserve, expanding climate-smart agricultural production, improving agricultural financing, mitigating livestock losses, enhancing imports, and strengthening coordination and early warning systems.
The interventions are aimed at building the country’s resilience to climate-related shocks and ensuring adequate food supplies despite the anticipated challenging rainfall season.
COP31 brings together world leaders, climate negotiators and other stakeholders from countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to advance international cooperation and strengthen global responses to climate change.
The annual conference also provides a platform for engagement among business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples and civil society organisations on strategies to address the growing climate crisis.
