The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committee on the Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment has undergone a capacitation exercise to equip the Parliamentarians to play a significant role in transforming climate change-related protocols into laws and regulations in their respective countries.
The PAP undertook the exercise in partnership with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) at a workshop held on 29 August 2022 in Midrand, South Africa. The workshop took place as various Committees of the PAP are sitting under the African Union 2022 theme 'Building Resilience in nutrition on the African continent: Accelerate the human capital, social and economic development.'
"The role of legislators is increasingly becoming relevant as the focus has shifted to implementation and working with cooperating partners we will push for translation of the protocols and policies into legislation and laws. When we go back to our respective countries, we need to keep conversations on climate going so we get the desired results," said Hon Didier Molisho Sadi, Chairperson of the Committee on Rural Economy.
Dr Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of PACJA said it was high time the discourse brought on board those who are affected. He said it was paramount that Africa produces its own solutions to address climate change.
"The time to be strategic and set new trajectories is now. We have the skills and expertise on the African continent. We are concerned by endless negotiations and conversations on climate change. The conversations have always been top-down with an elitist thrust but now we are saying we want to give a voice to the vulnerable communities," said Dr Mithika Mwenda.
The PAP has participated in previous conferences and has contributed immensely to strategic objectives and has positioned itself as a key stakeholder in international decision-making processes. The continental Parliament is continuously working to increase the profile of climate change and to identify and raise awareness of interventions and their impacts to economies in Africa.
Hon Didier Molisho Sadi hailed cooperation with other like-minded institutions and said the PAP is committed to scaling up the mobilization of resources for the implementation of activities. Dr. Mithika Mwenda urged the MPs to look at themselves as unique stakeholders in this discourse and push the agenda and raise awareness in their countries.
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