Sifiso Sibanda in Kenya
THE Sixth Session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly is underway in Nairobi, Kenya, with discussions focusing on how to tackle environmental issues affecting the world.
Zimbabwe’s delegation to the conference is led by Vice President Kembo Mohadi.
In a media briefing upon arrival in Kenya, Vice President Mohadi said those responsible for emissions of environmentally unfriendly chemicals must be held accountable and finance cleaning of the environment, saying Africa is a victim of pollution by other continents and is suffering the most.
“Climate change is real, and we now have frequent droughts, and at times cyclones, which are affecting our people so, at this forum we will hold those countries who are responsible for this mess accountable and this is in the best interest of us as Zimbabwe and Africa.”
He also noted the need for Zimbabwe to be allowed to benefit from stockpiles of its ivory and reduce its elephant population to sustainable levels.
“The country must be allowed to benefit from its resources such as our ivory and reduce the elephant population to environmentally sustainable levels so, our participation at this UN assembly is critical and as directed by the President, we will do justice to these issues,” said the Vice President.
Meanwhile, Vice President Mohadi is expected to deliver his keynote address this Thursday where 19 resolutions and two decisions are set to be adopted at the end of the assembly.
The conference is expected to adopt resolutions on air pollution abatement, promotion of sound management of chemicals and waste, restoring ecosystem and international environmental governance, among others.
