Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28th January 2016: The African Union Commission (AUC) Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, today told the media that the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21 was a success as not only was Africa the only continent that tabled one common position but also that a global agreement was reached on climate change.
Addressing the press at the margins of the 26th AU Heads of State and Government Summit which, brought together renowned media representatives from all over the continent, Commissioner Tumusiime informed the media that Africa spoke with one voice and negotiated on many issues including securing resources for climate change adaptation, mitigation, and enhanced technology, among others.
She however emphasised that much more still needed to be done on the agreements reached during COP 21, noting that subsequent meetings during 2016 would highlight certain aspects that were not concluded in 2015, like country-specific goals for emissions and getting Africa to be recognised as a special case in the negotiations.
Answering a question on renewable sources of energy as regards climate change, Commissioner Tumusiime said, “…there cannot be industrialization without renewable sources of energy.” She added that industrialization was one of the causes of climate change but could not be overlooked as it greatly contributes to the continent’s development.
Commenting on the devastating effect of El Niño in Africa, Commissioner Tumusiime informed the media that the AU had put in place a unit at its Headquarters on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and AU Member States had further put in a coordination system made up of Ministers responsible for DRR to be able to respond adequately to any such disasters. She further noted that countries have put in place their own intervention plans to mitigate El Niño effects.
In her concluding remarks, H.E Tumusiime highlighted her vision of a better Africa, saying, “We want to see a respected Africa on the global arena and an Africa where no child goes to bed hungry.”
The Commissioner further reiterated agriculture’s extreme importance as a tool to push for Africa’s development, urging AU Member States to invest more in agriculture and more importantly, to invest in a sustainable way, in order to propel Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Media Contact: Ms. Carol Jilombo, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC, E-mail: jilimboc@africa-union.org
Journalists wishing to interview the leadership of the AU Commission during the Summit should submit their requests to Mrs Esther Azaa Tankou, Ag. Director of Information and Communication of the AUC, via E-mail: YambouE@africa-union.org / esthertankou@yahoo.com
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For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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