His Excellency the Hon. Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya,Hon. Marende, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya,Hon. William Ruto, (Minister for Agriculture),Hon. Michuki, (Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kenya),Angela Cropper, Deputy Executive Director, UNEP,Hon. Mbaya, President, Pan African Parliamentarians Network on Climate Change,
Excellencies, distinguished parliamentarians and participants,
It is a great pleasure to join you today during this auspicious occasion. I am honoured to meet you all, among whom many have come from various parts of Africa. The fact that you have gathered shows the importance of addressing climate change, which affects developed and developing countries alike. Sweden is supportive of your involvement and it is within this same spirit that we have co-financed this conference.As residents of this Mother Earth we all understand that time has come for us to accelerate our efforts to fight climate change. To quote my Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt “there is no more time to lose, if we do not want our children to suffer even more dramatic consequences of climate change.”
Sweden is currently holding the Presidency of the European Union. This comes at a time when all countries of the world are working towards the Copenhagen climate change conference in December.
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 per cent by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, in the context of an ambitious international agreement that will enable climate change to stay below 2 degrees. 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.
In recent meetings in New York and Bangkok, as well as in bilateral contacts around the world, the European Union has urged all parties to ensure that substantial progress is made in order to give the Copenhagen Summit a chance to succeed. All parties must manifest a willingness to contribute to a positive outcome. A political momentum in the process must be apparent. The Bangkok meeting meant some progress, but more is required. I am convinced that you as parliamentarians can effectively contribute to this momentum.
What has the EU done so far when it comes to addressing climate change? Among many steps, one was taken last year in December, when the EU agreed on an energy and climate package, an ambitious mitigation policy. In line with their commitments and EU policy, member states are actively developing measures in order to reduce emissions and strengthen sustainable development.
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 EU is willing to contribute to the efforts in the global fight against climate change. The EU Summit in September stressed that financial resources will need to be scaled up urgently and substantially.
Distinguished participants,
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. The EU-Africa partnership was established in 2007. It covers many areas such as security and respect for human rights, economy and climate change. A Ministerial meeting between Africa and the EU will take place in Addis tomorrow (14 October). The meeting will assess the impact of the partnership and draw conclusions on how to enhance the cooperation.
Through its Panel of Eminent African Personalities, the African Union is actively contributing to peace and stability in East Africa. The Panel mediated an end to the violent post-election crisis in Kenya last year. The EU gives full support to continued efforts made by the Panel under the leadership of H.E Kofi Annan. His dialogue with Government, civil society and others during his visit to Kenya last week should contribute to renewed efforts in achieving substantial and speedy reforms. The EU believes priority should be given to constitutional reforms, electoral reform, police and judicial reforms. The European Union calls upon Kenya to urgently adopt measures to end impunity and fight corruption.
Returning to the common challenge of climate change, I remain optimistic that discussions like the one you will have here will strengthen the efforts to save future generations from dramatic consequences of climate change. As Members of Parliament across Africa you can contribute towards necessary actions and recommendations for the Copenhagen meeting and beyond.
I wish you all the best in your important deliberations. Thank you.