Staff Reporter
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on Namibia, noting that the country continues to grapple with recurring droughts and other climate-related challenges despite contributing less than 0.01 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Namibia continues to face significant climatic challenges as a result of climate change, including recurring droughts, rising temperatures and growing pressures on agriculture and water resources. Yet, Namibia contributes less than 0.01 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and bears a disproportionate share of the impacts of climate change, like other developing countries,” the President said.
She made these remarks during the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, held under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers For All”.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah therefore called on countries that have contributed most to global greenhouse gas emissions to shoulder greater responsibility by increasing support for nations bearing the greatest impacts of climate change.
“In the spirit of climate justice, we call for greater responsibility from those that have contributed most to global greenhouse gas emissions, including through increased support for countries that are most vulnerable to climate impacts. It is through sustainable climate financing that we will be able to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 13, to combat climate change,” she said.
The President also stressed the need for greater attention to water security as climate change continues to intensify droughts, floods, desertification and land degradation across Africa.
“As an arid country, Namibia continues to promote the prudent use and conservation of water, integrated water resources management, groundwater recharge and greater investment in sustainable water infrastructure. We also underscore the importance of implementing the Namib Declaration, adopted at COP11 in Windhoek, as part of our collective response to desertification, land degradation and drought,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah added.
Photo: Namibian Presidency
