Swazi Observer

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SUPPORT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES BUILD CLIMATE RESILIENCE – PM URGES

By Government Correspondent | 2023-12-03

Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has strongly emphasised on the need for for developed countries to support developing countries as part of efforts to build climate resilience.

The PM made these remarks when making interventions during the Global Stocktake (GST) High-Level Event on adaptation, a roundtable discussion held on the side-lines of the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP28) at Dubai Expo City, United Arab Emirates.

“There is need to support the sustainable development of developing countries, as part of the efforts to build climate resilience. This is possible through strategic investments in water storage /dams, efficient irrigation methods and innovative technology. Even more so, for countries like Eswatini that are agriculture-based economies,” said Dlamini.

The PM went to state that “we should not forget to balance the three Ps - without profits people and planet cannot be sustainable. We need to bring the poor out of poverty. The poor tend to be more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”

The PM said countries needed to focus on projects and programmes that would address adaptation gaps and ultimately improve the welfare and livelihoods of the people.
“For instance, in Eswatini we have agriculture and food resilience projects; the big 5 national parks and the construction of major dams,” he said.

He further addressed the issue of finance, saying public finance remained pivotal for adaptation adding that for developing countries such Eswatini, external grant support was critical need.
“We need to ensure that the funding is not only available, but also accessible,” he added.

World leaders decry climate change complacency

World leaders have decried the complacency and slow action by some countries in the fight against climate change.

His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom said decades later, with all the previous actions employed against climate change, there was still 30 per cent more carbon dioxide and 40 per cent more methane in the world, which was nothing short of disastrous.

King Charles was speaking during the opening ceremony of the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP28) at the Dubai Expo Centre in the United Arab Emirates.

Action
He said real action was needed as erratic weather patterns causing floods, heatwave and severe droughts in Africa continue to wreak havoc, a true manifestation of a planet evolving for the worst.
He warned that unless the world rapidly repairs, nature and the human races survival was in peril, and humans cannot behave as if they were immune to the effects of climate change.

He mentioned that generations in 2050 would blame the current for not trying hard enough to save their habitat.

King Charles' words were echoed by the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres who said it was possible for the world to achieve its target of reducing temperatures by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030 but only if everyone submits to stop the use of fossil fuels.

He added that the human race could not avoid planetary crash and burn but it would call for renewed political will as well as collaborations by all who value the planet.
He mentioned that the world has an abundance of technologies that can be employed to add impetus to the actions against climate change.

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