Remarks by the South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Her Excellency Barbara Creecy on the occasion of the launch of the South African Pavilion at unfccc COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland
Ms Nomatemba Tambo, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
National Assembly House Chairperson, Hon Frolick
NCOP House Chairperson, Hon Nyambi
Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Hon Muthambi
Select Committee Chairperson Hon Modise
Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, MEC Manopole
Mr Cas Coovadia, CEO of BUSA
CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI) Joanne Yawitch;
South African delegates
Our esteemed guests
Members of the media, and
Ladies and gentlemen
I wish to convey my warm South African greetings to everyone present here and to those who are joining us through the virtual link.
This evening marks the official launch of the South African Pavilion in partnership with the National Business Initiative (NBI) here at the UNFCCC COP 26.
This partnership is a practical embodiment of collaboration to jointly address climate change.
The public, private sector and civil society are exposed to the physical and transition risk of climate change, but the degree of exposure and the resultant costs will manifest unevenly, with communities in developing countries being hit the hardest.
It is imperative for us to recognise that we all have a role to play in addressing the challenges we face and implementing the solutions and opportunities posed.
The Presidential Climate Commission, that coordinates all our joint efforts, is researching and identifying pathways to advise government on its just transition to a low-carbon economy and a climate resilient and sustainable society by mid-century. From this advice, it will be possible to develop a clear plan to take us from what is at present, an aspirational commitment to the reality of new technologies, new investments and above all new jobs.
Investment in the green economy and green technologies provides strategic advantages for our country and continent. It opens access to new green financing opportunities; it offers the possibility of significant proven job creation; it has potential to localise production and services which will build small and medium enterprises and of course it enhances our long-term competitiveness while mitigating our transition risks.
A number of dialogues and side events will be hosted here at the Pavilion to showcase the work being done by South Africa to raise awareness, adapt to, and mitigate, climate change.
South Africa came to Glasgow with a clear mandate to negotiate for the full implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, including the global goals on mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation for climate action.
We share with other developing countries a view that our own ability to fulfill our climate ambition, related to both mitigation and adaptation is integrally linked to developed countries honoring their obligations under the convention. Developed countries must provide financial and technical support to developing countries.
I want to remind everyone that we are one family, we are team South Africa here at COP26. Let us work together and showcase our country to the rest of the world. Let us join efforts and support each other to advance the interests of what we all call home, our country South Africa.
Ladies and gentlemen, the SA Pavilion is officially launched.
I thank you.
