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Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has urged delegates attending the three-day Africa Climate Summit to explore options on how Africa can optimise its vast natural resources towards a low-carbon economy while opening new opportunities for climate finance, trade, investments, innovation, resilience and green jobs.

Tuya said the summit’s primary goal is to chart a green growth path for the African continent which presents the continent with an opportunity to develop and presents a new and bold vision that will also focus on abandoned opportunities that can be used to solve climate crisis.

“This summit is setting the stage for Africa to lead the globe towards a more ecologically responsible industrialisation, catalysed by financing that is accessible, adequate and affordable,” Tuya said.

Tackling problems

The climate change debate, Tuya said, has entered a new era and it is no longer just about tackling an environmental or development problem, but about addressing climate change in the context of justice.

“We must look at African countries and their high debt distress, contextualising it with our ability to adapt and mitigate climate change. We must look at the impact of climate change on our economies which are heavily dependent on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, tourism, fisheries, energy and forestry,” the CS said.

CS Tuya warned that if the world doesn’t develop and adopt adequate response measures to deal with climate change crisis, the consequences will be far-reaching.

“Let’s therefore step up and lead the world to find solutions for climate change by listening to all voices at this climate Summit including from indigenous communities, youth and civil society from Africa and beyond,” she added.