09/12/2023
Pan-African Parliament calls for translation of COP commitments into actionable realities
Hon. Dr. Ashebir W. Gayo, Acting President of the Pan-African Parliament, has called on global parliamentarians to transcend narrow agendas and partisan barriers in order to jointly address the climate change crisis. He emphasized the pivotal role of parliamentarians in shaping history, safeguarding the planet's future, and protecting future generations.
Dr. Gayo delivered this message during the main Parliamentary Meeting at the 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), a collaborative initiative between the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UAE's Federal National Council.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the acting leader of the Pan-African Parliament stressed the immense significance of the present moment. He expressed the looming threat of climate change, underscoring its potential to profoundly impact our existence. Additionally, he noted that African parliamentarians are witnessing firsthand the challenges presented by climate change, particularly in light of the IPCC's findings that Africa is experiencing accelerated warming, with the potential to severely affect African economies and societies.
Hon. Dr. Gayo further emphasised the critical and unfair burden that African nations are shouldering due to climate change. He underscored the urgency of translating commitments into tangible actions to avert potential disasters on the continent. The Continental Parliament’s Acting President rightly pointed out the interconnected nature of food insecurity, migration, conflicts, and poverty, all of which are exacerbated by climate change. He highlighted the impact of climate change on food systems, leading to increased hunger and malnutrition.
Moreover, Hon. Dr. Gayo emphasised the need to seize the challenges presented by climate change as an opportunity to rethink and redesign agricultural systems, health practices, and economic approaches.
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Hon. Dr. Ashebir W.