Int’l cooperation pivotal to respond to impacts of climate change – DPM & FM Demeke

Addis Ababa, August 17, 2023 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen stated that international cooperation should be strengthened to respond to the impacts of climate change.

The nineteenth session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) is being held from 14 to 18 August 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme “Seizing Opportunities and Enhancing Collaboration to Address Environmental Challenges in Africa”. It aims to strengthen collaboration among institutions and enhance implementation of global and regional environmental frameworks to address environmental challenges facing the continent.

It is noted that environmental ministers of various African countries, representatives of international organizations and environmental protection experts are participating in the conference.

Addressing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen said at that climate change has caused land degradation, drought, floods and desertification in Africa.

Pointing out climate change has resulted in various social and economic crises for Africans, DPM & FM Demeke noted that it has impacted negatively the efforts of ensuring food security in the continent.

He stated that this caused adverse effects on the continent’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2063.

Ethiopia is strengthening its green economy by formulating a green legacy development program with the mass participation of its citizens to reduce the severe impact of climate change, Demeke asserted.

Kicked of on August 14 at Skylight Hotel with the segment of experts meeting, the 19th ordinary session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) consists of a meeting of the expert group from 14 to 16 August, and a ministerial segment, on 17 and 18 August 2023.

It is said that AMCEN will be an opportunity for ministers to provide policy guidance for upcoming key environmental events, including the 28th session of the Conference of  Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) and the Africa Climate Summit; the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEA-6); Africa’s participation in the development of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC process); Africa’s preparations for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16); preparations for the 5th session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), and how Africa will respond to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was established in December 1985, following a conference of African ministers of environment held in Cairo, Egypt. Its mandate is to provide advocacy for environmental protection in Africa; to ensure that basic human needs are met adequately and in a sustainable manner; to ensure that social and economic development is realized at all levels; and to ensure that agricultural activities and practices meet the food security needs of the region.