The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs of South Africa, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, in her capacity as the President of the African Ministers’ Council on Environment (AMCEN) would like to reiterate that Africa’s position as articulated in the Nairobi Declaration remains.
“The Nairobi Declaration was agreed upon by African Environment ministers and ratified by the African Union heads of state and government and as such is the voice of the African continent and its peoples”, said Minister Sonjica.
The minister also acknowledges the sterling work done by the ministers but more so the passionate negotiators as they spent very long hours in the different strains they followed in the negotiations.
“Africa, given the space and opportunity, continues to show the strength, resilience, intelligence and leadership inherent in its society. All of us here at this moment carry the hopes of the continent that COP15 at Copenhagen will deliver a fair, equitable and just deal particularly for its peoples. It must not and cannot leave us any poorer considering the impact of climate change on its people and resources.
“Africa sees the two-track approach as sacrosanct. The finances are critical for support to the efforts around adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, therefore they cannot be sacrificed”, Minister Sonjica said.
Issued by: Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs
16 December 2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs (http://www.deat.gov.za/)
