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More than 170 countries represented by delegates have reiterated their commitments to stop a chilling rise in global temperature and to manage climate change. The fifth and final day of the fifth session was held online and in-person. United Nations Environment Assembly(UNEA-55.2) in Gigiri. Yesterday, Nairobi’s Environment ministers and other representatives continued to celebrate the achievements achieved so far.
Many people highlighted the difficulty of convincing scores of countries with their own economic interests and domestic political systems to work together for the greater good.
Kenya’s Environment and Forestry PS Chris Kiptoo outlined the numerous progressive steps the country has taken to ensure environmental sustainability and achieve several Sustainable Development Goals.
He cited the ban on the use, manufacture, and importation plastic bags for household and commercial packaging as a major achievement in the war against pollution. “We will continue to advance and improve our policies, statutory and institutional frameworks to embrace the latest most efficient and sustainable practices.”
The PS informed the delegates that Kenya continues to support efforts to create a safe environment through its policies, guidelines, and policies.
Under UNEA-5 theme ‘Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” states shared best practices for sustainability while highlighting impact on multilateral environmental efforts to protect and restore the natural world.
Fekadu Beyene Aleka, Ethiopia’s Commissioner of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission reported that they had updated the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and were preparing 2050 Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy. “We have embarked on implementing various environmental flagship initiatives in a Covid-19 response way. The Green Legacy Initiative is worth mentioning,” said Prof Aleka.
The initiative is aimed at promoting sustainable development by reducing poverty and conserving biodiversity. It also aims to plant 20 million tree seedlings by 2022. Over 9 billion seedlings have been planted in the past two years.
Currently, preparations for expanding the initiative to neighboring countries are underway, with the goal of supporting planting 1 billion seedlings.
He reiterated the commitment of his government to implementation of all SDGs, and called on the UNep, the UN and the global community to stand in solidarity with Ethiopia “in all our endeavours of building a green and resilient economy.”
Angola’s Minister of State for Social Area, representing President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, said the country’s development plan incorporated actions aimed at overcoming the climate change crises.
“However, we emphasize the role of multilateralism, which is why the Republic of Angola has ratified most multilateral agreements. The Republic of Angola has recently approved the National Strategy for Climate Action.
The strategy identifies actions aimed at adapting the national territory to the effects of climate change, adopting a low carbon development model, mobilising resources and promoting strengthening of national institutions’ capacity, including development and adoption of environmental technologies.”
Angola also implements the Biodiversity strategy and Action Plan, which result in conservation areas increasing from 6% to 12% of the national territory in 2011.
Josephine Napwon, South Sudan Environment Minister, stated that to address climate change and environmental degradation and polluting, the country will not only update its NDC but also its first National Adaptation Plan and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The country will also develop cost-effective nature-based solutions for recurring droughts and floods, deforestation, crop loss, and land degradation.
South Sudan hopes that UNEA 5.2 will adopt resolutions to galvanize states to redouble efforts to address the unsustainable exploitation and restore degraded ecosystems in order for nature to continue providing goods and services for humanity’s wellbeing.
South Sudan praised the declaration on deforestation at COP26 in Glasgow. It hopes it will be able to get funding to plant 100 million trees over the next 10 years.
South Sudan plans 3000 megawatts of electricity from hydro, natural gas, solar, wind and geothermal to ease the pressures on its forests. This will require financial assistance, capacity building, technology transfer, and financial support.?
