Sweden’s Ambassador to Kenya Ann Dismorr spoke at the high-level 2nd African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Change, in the company of President Mwai Kibaki, Hon Kenneth Marende, the Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly and several Cabinet Ministers. The Summit was organised by Kenya National Assembly in collaboration with Pan African Parliamentary Network on Climate Change (PAPNCC) and Parliamentary Network on Renewable Energy and Climate Change (PANERECC) on 13th October 2009, at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi. As Sweden is currently holding the EU Presidency, Ambassador Dismorr referred to the European Union when addressing Climate Change challenges at the Summit:

“To combat climate change and to reach a new international climate agreement in December is a top priority of the Swedish EU Presidency. A new global agreement valid from 2013 must be put in place. The EU has agreed to cut emissions by 30% by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, in the context of an ambitious international agreement that will enable climate change to stay below 2°C. This is providing that other developed countries make comparable reduction commitments, and providing that advanced developing countries contribute adequately according to their responsibilities and capabilities” said Ambassador Dismorr.

“The EU has an important role to play in relation to developing countries not least in Africa, which is at risk and vulnerable to climate change. Enhanced financial support, development and deployment of technology as well as capacity building for adaptation are essential to curb the adverse effects of climate change”.

The Ambassador also recognised that the African Union is becoming an increasingly important actor, bringing African countries together to handle African and global challenges. This is fully recognised by the European Union. In addition, the Joint Africa-EU Strategy that was established in 2007 which consists of eight partnerships, such as security and respect for human rights, economy and climate change, is progressing. A ministerial meeting between Africa and the EU, chaired by Swedish Minister for Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, will take place in Addis Abeba on 14th October 2009, to assess the impact of the partnerships and draw conclusions on how to enhance the cooperation.

Sweden has co-financed the 2nd African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Change.

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