Wednesday, 14 September, 2016; Dar es Salaam: Yesterday, on the occasion of the European Climate Diplomacy Week (12-18 September), the Delegation of the European Union, the Embassy of France and the Embassy of Germany hosted a public screening of the award-winning documentary Demain/Tomorrow (Kesho), at the Goethe-Institut. The Minister of State, Vice President’s Office, Union and Environment, Hon. January Makamba, took part in the event together with the French Ambassador, H.E Mrs Malika Berak, the German Chargé d’Affaires, Mr John Reyels and the EU Chargé d’Affaires, Ms Luana Reale.
This was the premiere in Africa of Demain/Tomorrow, by Cyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent, winner of the César award of Best Documentary Film in 2016. This globetrotting documentary focuses on the people who are promoting new initiatives and innovative approaches in areas such as agriculture, energy, habitat, economy, education, democracy. A high-level panel, including Hon. Minister Makamba, Tajiel Urioh, Climate and Environmental Activist, Dennis Mwendwa, from the Oil, Natural Gas and Environmental Alliance (ONGEA), and Dr. Adolphine Kateka from the Centre for Climate Change, University of Dar es Salaam, discussed on areas prompted by the French Head of Cooperation, Mr Phillip Boncour, who moderated the discussions, and questions raised by the audience.
This was the premiere in Africa of Demain/Tomorrow, by Cyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent, winner of the César award of Best Documentary Film in 2016. This globetrotting documentary focuses on the people who are promoting new initiatives and innovative approaches in areas such as agriculture, energy, habitat, economy, education, democracy. A high-level panel, including Hon. Minister Makamba, Tajiel Urioh, Climate and Environmental Activist, Dennis Mwendwa, from the Oil, Natural Gas and Environmental Alliance (ONGEA), and Dr. Adolphine Kateka from the Centre for Climate Change, University of Dar es Salaam, discussed on areas prompted by the French Head of Cooperation, Mr Phillip Boncour, who moderated the discussions, and questions raised by the audience.
 | |
| The Panel |
Hon. Minister Makamba said in reference to climate diplomacy, "Climate diplomacy has given us a once in a lifetime opportunity to save our human family and its habitat. Here in Tanzania, most of our key growth sectors are climate-sensitive. The Tanzanian government is determined to pursue its development path responsibly and sustainably".
Ambassador Berak in opening the event said: “Climate change is indeed an issue facing all of us. But there are also solutions: simple, human scale solutions, innovative industrial solutions, solutions to be invented by cities and local governments, partnership and network solutions…“The film you are going to see tonight for its Première on the African continent is precisely about solutions and the people who implement them all around the globe.. “Demain” is a positive movie, a movie which demonstrates that joint efforts can open nearly every single door, a movie which believes in human beings and their capacity to change the trajectories put in place by other human beings time after time.”
On his part Mr Reyels recalled that: “At the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris the whole global community pledged to curb climate change. Emerging and developing economies like Tanzania play a vital part in pursuing this global transformation. Germany is partnering with the government of Tanzania in the field of climate adaptation, e.g. to access international climate financing from the Green Climate Fund.”
Ms Reale, in her concluding remarks, stressed the importance of international cooperation to fight climate change:
“The European Union has spearheaded global efforts and we are well on track to meet our target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. The Paris Agreement is a global response to a global problem; as our panel has clearly shown, we all have a role to play, be it small or large. All actions count. Tonight we have heard from the Honorable Minister that Tanzania is well on its way in preparing its ratification document of the Paris Agreement. The EU and all its Member States are also working to join the Agreement. We are proud, as members of the global community, to see that China and the United States of America have joined on 3 September.”
Ambassador Berak in opening the event said: “Climate change is indeed an issue facing all of us. But there are also solutions: simple, human scale solutions, innovative industrial solutions, solutions to be invented by cities and local governments, partnership and network solutions…“The film you are going to see tonight for its Première on the African continent is precisely about solutions and the people who implement them all around the globe.. “Demain” is a positive movie, a movie which demonstrates that joint efforts can open nearly every single door, a movie which believes in human beings and their capacity to change the trajectories put in place by other human beings time after time.”
On his part Mr Reyels recalled that: “At the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris the whole global community pledged to curb climate change. Emerging and developing economies like Tanzania play a vital part in pursuing this global transformation. Germany is partnering with the government of Tanzania in the field of climate adaptation, e.g. to access international climate financing from the Green Climate Fund.”
Ms Reale, in her concluding remarks, stressed the importance of international cooperation to fight climate change:
“The European Union has spearheaded global efforts and we are well on track to meet our target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. The Paris Agreement is a global response to a global problem; as our panel has clearly shown, we all have a role to play, be it small or large. All actions count. Tonight we have heard from the Honorable Minister that Tanzania is well on its way in preparing its ratification document of the Paris Agreement. The EU and all its Member States are also working to join the Agreement. We are proud, as members of the global community, to see that China and the United States of America have joined on 3 September.”
BACKGROUND
In the Paris Agreement (the 21st Conference of Parties - COP21), a total of 195 countries adopted a universal and legally binding climate deal. The major key elements include a long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels; to aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate change; the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible; and to undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science. The adaptation focus is on strengthening societies' ability to deal with the impacts of climate change and provide continued and enhanced international support to developing countries.
The EU was the first major bloc to submit its intended contribution to the new agreement in March 2015. It is already taking steps to implement its target to reduce emissions by at least 40% by 2030. Furthermore, the EU and other developed countries support climate actions to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change impacts in developing countries. The Paris Agreement was opened for signature at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 22 April 2016 and will remain open until 21 April 2017, in accordance with Article 20, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement. As of 7 September 2016, there are 180 signatories to the Paris Agreement. Of these, 27 States have also deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval accounting in total for 39.08 % of the total global greenhouse gas emissions.
The European Climate Diplomacy Day is an outreach initiative of the European Union and its Member States and part of the EU`s commitment on climate action at home and abroad. More than 50 countries worldwide will host a dedicated European Climate Diplomacy outreach event, showcasing successful climate cooperation and highlighting the importance of partnership for effective climate action.
Source: Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania
No comments:
Post a Comment