Uganda to join other countries to handle climate change challenges in COP29

8 November 2024, 10:17 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar, has confirmed that Uganda will join the international community at the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “Uganda’s priorities and vision for COP, taking place in Azerbaijan from 11th to 22nd November 2024, is what has brought me here to share. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has identified climate change as one of the major threats not only to the country’s development but also to national security. Climate change is an unfinished commitment that the NRM manifesto for 2021 to 2026 aims to address,” she said.

The minister highlighted that Uganda is a signatory to all major environmental and climate change treaties and has integrated these commitments into national laws, policies, and actions. “It is with this dedication that Uganda will participate in the 29th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC. I am honoured to report that Uganda is not only a participant in the global climate arena but has also demonstrated leadership in 2024. Uganda holds the chair of the Group of 77 and China, the largest and most diverse group within the United Nations System at COP29,” she added.

Uganda aims to demonstrate its leadership by uniting the voices of all countries in this group to advocate for favourable outcomes at COP29 for all member states. The theme for COP29, “In Solidarity for a Green World,” has been set by the host country and COP29 presidency, Azerbaijan, and is based on two mutually reinforcing pillars. The first pillar, enhancing ambition, includes key elements to ensure that all parties commit to ambitious national plans and transparency. The second pillar, enabling action, underscores the critical role of finance in addressing climate change. COP29, often referred to as the “Climate Finance COP,” will continue global discussions with a focus on climate finance.

Uganda, alongside the international community, is hopeful and determined for COP29 to achieve equitable access to climate finance to support vulnerable countries in managing climate risks, adapting to changing environments, and addressing irreversible losses. Uganda will also raise awareness of emerging climate-related issues, especially climate change-induced migration in Africa. “The number of displaced people, particularly women and children, within and across national borders is consistently rising, with significant consequences. Uganda offers a regional framework for addressing these challenges,” the minister stated.

The Conference of Parties will delve into the complexities of climate change and related issues.