The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, represented South Africa at the SADC meeting for ministers responsible for environment and natural resources management on Friday, 16 July 2010, held at the Victoria Falls "Mosi-oa-Tunya", Zimbabwe.
Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi's participation at the SADC meeting is a culmination of the Department of Environmental Affairs' budget vote speech, whereby it unequivocally stated that with regard to SADC region, our efforts are geared towards a SADC protocol on environment which seeks to support the development and implementation of environmental policies and legal frameworks, in areas like biodiversity and conservation focusing on transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs), climate change, air quality, pollution and waste management, environmental education and capacity building as well as regional meteorological initiatives.
The ministers' meeting was preceded by the senior officials meeting which took place from 12 to 15 July 2010. The ministers' meeting dealt with cross-cutting issues in natural resources (fisheries, forestry and wildlife), climate change, and environment.
Ministers from member states noted progress as follows:
- The 16th session of the Congress of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 16), would take place in November 2010 in Cancun, Mexico. Ministers unanimously resolved to adopt the African common negotiating position for the UNFCCC COP 16
- Ministers approved programmes in natural resources management and environment. These programmes will contribute to capacity development, sharing of best practices, food security and poverty reduction
- The conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources by member states in the last five years; in particular, the implementation of the various protocols of fisheries, forestry and wildlife.
Ministers from member states underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration on law enforcement and information sharing in order to protect the rhino and elephant populations in the region, says Mabudafhasi.
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Source: Department of Environmental Affairs
