Regional Conference on
“Climate Change Adaptation in the Coastal Areas of Western Indian
Ocean”
Organised by United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi
Convention Secretariat, the Indian Ocean Commission, Western
Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and Mauritius
Oceanography Institute
Intercontinental Mauritius Resort
Address by
Honourable Devanand Virahsawmy, GOSK
Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development
21st March 2011
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Mrs Gudo Chichava, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Coordination of
Environmental Affairs and Chair of the Bureau of Nairobi Convention
Mr Callixte d’Offay, General Secretary, Indian Ocean Commission
Mr Richard Munang, Policy Advisor, Climate Change and Development
Initiative
Mr Claes Kjellstrom, Representative of The Swedish International Cooperation
Development Agency
Mrs Ng, Director, Department of Environment
Mr Nirmal Shah, President, Western Indian Ocean Commission Marine Science
Association
Mr Rezah Badal, Officer in Charge, Mauritius Oceanographic Institute
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great pleasure for me to be in your midst for this first regional conference on
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the Western Indian Ocean
(WIO).
Let me first express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the United Nation
Environment Programme Nairobi Convention Secretariat, the Indian Ocean
Commission, the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and the
Mauritius Oceanography Institute for organizing this conference in Mauritius. I
understand that the focus will be on coastal and marine environment. This is an
issue of utmost importance to the entire world and particularly to countries of our
sub-region.
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As you are aware, recent studies carried out under the aegis of UNEP show that the
Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region supports the livelihoods of a rapidly growing
population, currently estimated at over 60 million. The region is still one of the
least ecologically disturbed in the world, hosting over 2,200 species of fish
including rare and endangered species as well birds and over 350 species of corals.
Our region is also well known for its variety of coastal forests, mangrove and sea
grass beds. The coastal zone of the region is also the site of major cities, ports and
harbors, tourists’ attraction, and industries that play an important role in the
livelihood of people while sustaining the economies of our countries.
The
economic value of the coastal and marine ecosystem, goods and services is
estimated to more that 25 billion US dollars annually. This is a conservative
figure, as it is difficult to assign values to fundamental ecological services such as
protection against extreme weather events.
In addition to increasing pressures posed by demographic boost, the impacts of
climate change will seriously compromise the sustainability of our coastal and
marine ecosystem.
Climate change can thus jeopardize economic gains that
countries in the WIO Region have realized in the recent past and influence
adversely the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Ladies and Gentlemen
Our region is one of the most impacted by climate change though we contribute the
least to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the current average increase of 1
degree Celsius in temperature, we are already experiencing harsh conditions in the
Western Indian Ocean. Studies have shown that Mt. Kilimanjaro’s ice field has
decreased by about 80% and it has been estimated that, if current climate
conditions persist, the remaining ice fields are likely to disappear by 2020.
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Significant impact of climate change in our region has also been observed in the
coral reef systems. In 1998, up to 95% of corals in some areas of our region died
following the episode of rapid warming associated with the El Niño phenomenon.
Furthermore, El Niño related drought, is negatively impacting on our inhabitants
and economies as a result of crop loss, dramatic decrease in fish catch and death of
cattle herds, thereby accentuating the food insecurity situation. Moreover, sea
level rise poses serious threat to the Western Indian Ocean Islands and to low-lying
coastal settlements resulting in coastal erosion and flooding causing significant
impacts on coastal settlements, agriculture and infrastructure.
It is really alarming to note that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in
its 4th Assessment report predicts that greenhouse gas emissions could rise
substantially by 2030 thereby causing a global warming of 3°C within this century.
For Africa, this may imply up to 6 degrees Celsius rise in temperature.
This will
definitely exacerbate the rate of biodiversity loss, food insecurity and a spread of
climate sensitive diseases
Ladies and gentlemen,
Seeing what is happening around the world, it can be said that this is really
nature’s last call for immediate response. If we fail to make necessary efforts and
if GHG emissions reductions are delayed, the consequences of more severe climate
change impacts could be irreversible.
The relative success achieved at the last
climate talks, leading to the Cancun Agreement, is an important step. We should
now intensify our efforts at regional level to ensure a legally binding agreement at
COP 17 in Durban.
At this juncture, I wish to thank the African Union for the decision for a common
African climate position through COP 15 and COP 16. We hope that the Green
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Climate Fund will become operational as soon as possible so that the approved
recommendations of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment
(AMCEN) could be successfully implemented.
I have in mind the proposal
related to “the mobilization of green technology investments to accelerate
economic growth”.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dealing with Climate Change issues has always been high on the agenda of the
Government.
Let me enumerate on a few initiatives to increase our climate
resilience and our adaptation capacity to Climate Change. .
First: The implementation of the Maurice Ile Durable (MID) initiative with an
MID fund to the tune of 1,3 Billion rupees.
The whole idea is to promote
sustainable development through the implementation of a wide array of projects.
Second: A Food Security Fund, to the tune of 2 billion rupees, has been set up to
increase the resilience of Mauritius towards food self-sufficiency by increasing
production of foodstuff locally and at the regional level by partnering with
neighboring countries.
Third: We have embarked on the implementation of an ECO-Village programme,
targeting nine villages in the first phase. This project will revitalise our villages,
sustain the livelihood of the communities and protect the ecological integrity of
environmentally sensitive areas.
Fourth: The development and implementation of National Programme on
Sustainable Consumption and Production.
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The overall objective of this
programme is to reverse our current unsustainable patterns of consumption and
production. This programme encompasses 44 projects to be implemented by 2013.
Fifth: Implementation of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP). Under the
AAP, we have developed some 25 initiatives under the different key sectors like
disaster risk reduction, environment, water, agriculture, fisheries, tourism &
education that are in the process of being implemented.
Sixth: We have embarked on the second Technology Needs Assessment (TNA)
project which aims at bridging the gap between the mere identification of
appropriate technologies and the design of action plans that would enable
Mauritius to implement technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
support adaptation to climate change that are consistent with national development
priorities.
Seven: We have developed elaborated frameworks for the sustainable management
of our sensitive coastal zones and environmentally sensitization areas.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I understand that a Western Indian Ocean climate change regional strategy has
been formulated and would be discussed during this conference. I hope that this
strategy is not an end in itself and that it will lead to an action plan with practical
and feasible solutions that will become an important tool to mobilize resources for
the region.
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On this note I declare this regional conference open and wish you all a fruitful
deliberation.
Thank you for your kind attention
DV
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