By:- Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang in Baku, Azerbaijan
The Gambian Minister of Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources has revealed that the Gambia’s second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) serves as a critical framework for the nation’s climate action and sustainable development initiatives that reflect a collective commitment to addressing climate change while fostering development that meets the needs of our people.
Addressing delegates and dedicated advocates for environmental protection and sustainable growth at the COP29 side event currently underway in Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hon. Rohey John Manjang said the second NDC focuses on the 2015 pledge to uphold the Paris Agreement, understanding the importance of a thorough and inclusive strategy in combating climate change.
Our second NDC, she said illustrates the country`s determination to bolster resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and align our national policies with the worldwide climate agenda. “The challenges we face are significant: from rising sea levels to erratic weather patterns that endanger agricultural productivity and water availability, these issues threaten the livelihoods of our communities.” Minister Manjang posited.
She raised her head high up that as a smaller nation, the climate crisis can feel daunting, but she however believes that through collective action, we can affect meaningful changes. She therefore outlined Strengthening Resilience, Promoting Renewable Energy, and Engaging Stakeholders as the three key pillars of our strategy for implementing our NDC.
Under Strengthening Resilience, the environment minister reiterated that this focuses on integrating climate adaptation measures into our national development plans and it involves initiatives aimed at sustainable agriculture, coastal protection, and effective water management, which are crucial for safeguarding our most vulnerable populations.
On Promoting Renewable Energy, she said The Gambia possesses significant renewable energy resources and is dedicated to advancing a green economy by investing in solar, wind, and biomass energy solutions. This, she said aimed to increase renewable energy in our energy mix by 2030 to contribute to emissions reductions and improve energy access for all Gambians.
On Stakeholders Engagement, Minister Manjang disclosed that the successful implementation of our NDC requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders including the civil society, the private sector, and local communities. Building partnerships is essential to enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of our climate initiatives, and therefore the country is keen to collaborate with the international community in this effort.
Calling for a holistic approach, she vowed that the effective execution of the NDC is not only a national obligation but a critical global necessity that needs all hands on deck. “We must assist each other, exchange best practices, and mobilize the resources needed to meet our commitments, as many of the initiatives outlined in the NDC will depend on the availability of international climate finance.”
Climate justice should be viewed and remembered as a fundamental right for those who have contributed the least to the crisis but face its most severe consequences, quoting Gambia as an example who contributed less to green House Emission but received the brunt of its negative impacts. She finally called on the private sector, policymakers, an advocate, and negotiators to support the collective goal of achieving a sustainable and resilient future for the Gambia, our homeland for the benefit of both present and future generations.
The Senegalese Minister of Environment Professor DawdaNgum gave the closing remarks, noting both countries share the same geographical, climatical, ethnical, and social characteristics, and therefore no one can divide us in our mutual implementations of our activities. This country’s NDC convergence was moderated by DPS Bubacarr Zaidi Jallow, was graced by the environment minister from Sierra Leone, Gambia`s Ambassador to the United Nations H.E Lamin Dibba, PS Ebrima Jawara, and a host of Gambia delegation and negotiators.