Durban: Over 300 delegates attending the 58th Plenary Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Durban have expressed confidence in the forum's potential to advance stronger regional responses to climate change. This year's programme focuses on 'The Impact of Climate Change on Women and Youth, and the Role of SADC Parliamentarians in Mitigation and Adaptation.'
According to South African Government News Agency, South Africa is hosting the week-long session, which opened with an optimistic opening address by Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza. Didiza reminded delegates that legislatures across the region are not bystanders in the climate crisis, but central players in shaping effective responses. She emphasized that parliamentarians' roles must extend beyond simply approving budgets to embrace active, intentional, and transformative climate change interventions.
On mitigation efforts, Didiza remarked that national legislatures must align their frameworks with international and regional commitments, including outcomes of the Conference of the Parties (COP), the Paris Agreement, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) climate change strategy. She stated the importance of enacting laws that incentivize cleaner and renewable energy, mandate sustainable land use and water management practices, and introduce climate change acts with clear national targets and accountable mechanisms.
Didiza expressed confidence that the symposium will help regional lawmakers strengthen coordinated approaches to mitigate the impact of climate change, particularly on vulnerable groups.
Addressing the gathering virtually, Deputy President Paul Mashatile outlined South Africa's ongoing efforts to respond to the climate change crisis. He noted that climate change remains a top priority on the global agenda, with world leaders at recent G20 engagements reaffirming commitments to accelerate action. Mashatile highlighted that SADC is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions globally, with women and young people facing disproportionate impacts, including increased work burdens and health risks.
Mashatile emphasized that SADC parliaments hold a vital mandate and play a multifaceted role in promoting effective and equitable climate action through their functions related to legislation, oversight, and representation. He stressed the need to enact laws and strengthen policies to align with regional agreements on climate change, promote gender-sensitive policies, and ensure a just approach in all climate policies.
These reforms call for strengthened oversight accountability, whereby parliaments would hold governments accountable for their performance in implementing domestic climate laws, regional commitments, and international obligations. Mashatile also underscored the need to allocate sufficient resources for climate mitigation and adaptation programmes, particularly those targeting vulnerable groups.