Africa should act on climate change

AllAfrica.com via the New Times (Egypt): Senate president, Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, has said that Africa should move faster in drawing concrete action plans against climate change. He made the remarks at the ongoing third Nile Basin Development Forum that seeks to come up with measures to mitigate climate change in countries that share the Nile River.

"I call upon you to draw actions for better management and development of Africa's Water Resources. These actions should be based on sound vision, political will and determination," he said. "I believe it is time for Africa to move vigorously with an agenda for action". He added that it was time for Africa to overcome the fragmentation that exists at various levels of climate change management. In this region, there are many initiatives that are engaged in climate change matters. There is need for synergistic interventions that optimize and ensure beneficial use of the available resources." Ntawukuriryayo observed.

He pointed out that Africa needs both technical and financial support to institute measures for climate change adaptation. "It is time for the international community to respond in favour of such demand and provide the long waited financial and technical support towards that cause," he said.

The Nile Basin Development Forum seeks to enhance and continue building confidence, common understanding and broad based dialogue among countries that share the Nile River....

Aerial view of the Nile near Luxor, showing the encroaching desert. Shot by Bionet, public domain