By PSCU
Worth Noting:
- “Commonwealth countries, especially those in the global south, are the most vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change and environment degradation despite contributing the least,” said Wetang’ula.
- Wetang’ula emphasized that Africa was unfairly being impacted by the adverse effects of climate change despite the continent’s contribution of less than four per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions.
- He further raised concerns that African countries have to spend more than their fair share for adaptation efforts, currently estimated at 10 per cent of GDP annually, according to the African Development Bank.
National Assembly Speaker the Moses Wetang’ula has urged African countries to enhance their fight against adverse effects of climate change in the ongoing spirited effort to safeguard the environment.
The Speaker also challenged the continent to jealously guard its natural resources for the benefit of Africa.
He was speaking yesterday during the official opening of the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) that is being held at Commonwealth Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda.
He delivered the key note address, pointing out that climate –related shocks are becoming more frequent and severe, consequently affecting the quest to eradicate poverty.
Wetang’ula was accompanied by his Senate counterpart Amason Jeffa Kingi.
This year’s CSPOC convention was graced by the President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Museveni.
Ugandan Parliament is playing host of the Convention under the stewardship of its Speaker Anita Among.
“Commonwealth countries, especially those in the global south, are the most vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change and environment degradation despite contributing the least,” said Wetang’ula.
Wetang’ula emphasized that Africa was unfairly being impacted by the adverse effects of climate change despite the continent’s contribution of less than four per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions.
He further raised concerns that African countries have to spend more than their fair share for adaptation efforts, currently estimated at 10 per cent of GDP annually, according to the African Development Bank.
While addressing over 32 Speakers from the Commonwealth Member states, he implored on the critical role of Parliaments saying being representatives of the people, the legislature has a crucial role to provide leadership in confronting the threat.
He called on Commonwealth Parliaments to continuously build capacity for legislators on the issue of tackling climate change, provide adequate budgets and offer law makers with opportunities at the global stage to interact and share knowledge on how to further mitigate the challenge geared towards saving mother nature.
Addressing delegates, President Museveni said the conference was impactful to the globe as it brought together leaders of Parliaments with a combined total population of 2.4 billion people.
He urged the meeting and Parliaments to draw the right polices that would be implemented to make the world a better place to live in.
On his part, Speaker Among said the conference is geared towards maintaining, fostering and encouraging fairness.
He further noted that the forum is aimed at providing an ideal forum to promote knowledge and understanding of Parliamentary democracy.
The Ugandan Speaker urged countries to harmonize legislation on climate change to be able to pull resources in form of ideas and capacity to mitigate the diverse effects in the region and beyond.
The CSPOC was established in 1969 and operates on a two-year cycle where it brings together the Speakers and presiding officers of the national Parliaments of the independent sovereign states of the commonwealth.
The two Kenyan Speakers are accompanied by the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms. Serah Kioko and her Senate counterpart, Mr. Mohammed Ali.
John Kamau