Tuesday, May 16, 2023 – The President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has called on participants of the ongoing Third Pan African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity to move beyond mere terminologies and take tangible actions in combating climate change. The leader of Africa’s premier parliamentary forum emphasized the need to focus on finding solutions to the destructive impacts of climate change, rather than dwelling on the past.
H.E. Chief Charumbira emphasized the importance of establishing a robust institutional framework as an outcome of the summit, with strong leadership playing a pivotal role. He urged delegates to refrain from reiterating previous statements and instead concentrate on why developed countries are failing to honor their commitments.
“We need a strong institutional arrangement out of this summit, and leadership must play a big role in this. Without leadership, nothing will be achieved. Let’s avoid repeating what we have said in the past. We need to interrogate why developed countries are not respecting what they have committed to,” stated Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of PAP.
In addition, Hon. Chief Charumbira emphasized the necessity of inclusive conversations, stressing the need to identify and include missing voices in the discussions. He called for a deliberate effort to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders.
“We must be inclusive, and we must ask whose voice is missing. We must be deliberate in bringing the missing voices onboard,” added Hon. Chief Charumbira.
The Pan-African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity serves as a crucial platform for African leaders and policymakers to address the challenges posed by climate change. The summit aims to foster dialogue and cooperation among nations, with the ultimate goal of formulating effective strategies and policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote equitable solutions.
As the summit continues, participants are engaging in comprehensive discussions and working towards concrete solutions. It is expected that the summit will result in actionable plans and commitments to address the devastating effects of climate change across the continent.
The call by H.E. Chief Charumbira to go beyond rhetoric and focus on practical actions highlights the urgency and importance of finding sustainable solutions to combat climate change. With strong leadership and inclusive participation, the Pan-African Parliament aims to drive real change and ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for Africa and its people.
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