Officials from the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) today paid a courtesy call on Namibia’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi. They also met with the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Hon. Tjekero Tweya. AGNES plans to hold its second Southern Africa Parliamentarian Regional Meeting from July 31st to August 2nd, 2024, in Namibia. The meeting aims to strengthen the capacity of national parliaments in overseeing climate action accountability and reporting.
The first Southern Africa meeting was held with the National Assembly of Botswana and other stakeholders in September 2023. Shadrack Arum Auma, a Research Associate at AGNES, emphasized the critical role of parliamentary functions in climate mitigation measures. He stated that the meeting would provide a platform for exchanging ideas between policymakers, experts, and negotiators to enhance climate adaptation strategies. “Parliament plays a crucial role in climate change solutions through its functions of representation, oversight, legislative and budget approval. We aim to develop model climate change laws that can be domesticated, as many countries face challenges in creating their own climate laws. It is essential to equip our lawmakers to achieve these goals,” noted Auma.
Speaker Katjavivi echoed these sentiments, highlighting that although Namibia’s carbon footprint is minimal, the country still experiences significant impacts from climate change, disrupting the livelihoods of many citizens who rely on subsistence agriculture. He stressed the importance of proactive measures, stating, “We are affected by recurrent droughts and floods. We should use this event to raise awareness and enhance lawmakers’ understanding so that we can perform our oversight duties effectively. Strengthening planning at all levels of government is crucial to being better prepared for these disasters.”
Namibia has ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, joining global efforts to limit warming to acceptable levels. Over 70 participants from the 16 SADC member states are expected to attend the event, including local stakeholders such as the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF).