The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube has boldly called for “urgent and collective action; meaningful funding and implementation of commitments, to respond to climate change impacts”. Premier Dube-Ncube was engaging with various strategic and alliance partners at the 2023 Climate Week currently underway in New York. The Climate Week, in its 15th year now, is regarded as “the largest annual climate event of its kind”

KwaZulu-Natal is one of the five Co-Chairs of the Under2Coalition, which is the network of states and subnational governments. KwaZulu-Natal represents the voices of the vulnerable people of Africa as the Premier is the Co-Chair for the Africa Region.

“Our argument at this conference is that it is anomalous that the least polluters and the vulnerable, mostly found in the developing world, have been the most affected by the impacts of climate change. Governments must strengthen implementation of current policies and strategies to hold corporates responsible for their contribution to the climate change impacts and to ensure their accountability. The corporates on the other hand must put their monies where their values are. We urgently need a collective action to mitigate, while we largely adapt to the climate change impacts”

The Premier met with the Governor of California Gavin Newsom and the two discussed issues of common interest, including lessons on climate insurance, establishing learning platforms that will be shared by both the Province of KwaZulu-Natal and the California subnational government and to push the urgency of action. They also discussed the climate risks and vulnerabilities as both California and KwaZulu-Natal share similar experiences, which is flash floods, droughts and sea level rises.

“The Climate Week and the engagement with the Governor couldn’t have come at a more poignant time as KwaZulu-Natal and the rest of Africa are more susceptible to violent weather patterns. The Province is still reeling from the April 2022 floods and our infrastructure has not yet fully recovered, although we are making good progress. Just this weekend we witnessed devastating tidal waves in the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal which destroyed infrastructure and saw a number of people injured,” said the Premier.

This, the Premier continued, clearly demonstrates that our province is in the eye of the storm and, as a result, urgent action is required from all stakeholders. On behalf of the provincial government, the Premier conveyed a message of support and condolences to the family of the victims of the high tidal waves that left a trail of destruction in its wake.

The conversations at the 2023 Climate Week will not end at the event but will shape the onward conversations of COP28 scheduled to take place in November/December 2023 in the United Arab Emirates. This is where governments and non-parties will be advancing the voice of inclusivity.

“As part of the underdeveloped and developing worlds we carry a clear mandate to advance the aspirations of our regions and, in particular, the African continent, for environmental justice, food security and financing of mitigation efforts,” concluded the Premier.

Ends

For more information contact Head of Provincial Government Communication Bongi Gwala on 072 793 4757 / Acting Media Liaison Joseph Cubai on 061 421 5853

ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT