Communiqué

SADC Meeting of Ministers of Environment and Sustainable Development

13th November 2009

1. The meeting of the SADC Ministers responsible for Environment and Sustainable Development was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on 13th November 2009. It was attended by Ministers from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Democratic Republic of Congo was represented by her Deputy Ambassador to Zimbabwe, while the United Republic of Tanzania was represented by a Senior Officer. Also in attendance was the SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration.

2. The objective of the meeting was to review progress made in the implementation of key decisions taken at their previous meetings and deliberate on the implementation of programmes, and provide a road map for the sector.

3. Ministers underscored the importance of the environment and natural resources in the region in supporting livelihoods and boosting economic development. To this end, they called for effective implementation of the environment and natural resources programmes. Ministers stressed the importance of strengthening the capacity of the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit. To this end, they reviewed the structure of the Unit and made recommendations to the SADC Council.

4. Ministers noted the upcoming Fifteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 15 of UNFCCC) scheduled for Copenhagen, Denmark during December 7 – 18, 2009. Despite the fact that the SADC region has contributed very little to global warming, it is more affected by the impacts of climate change. Ministers resolved that adaptation to climate change remains a top priority for the region. In this regard, Ministers called upon the SADC Member States to support the common position of Africa. On mitigation, Ministers resolved that this be voluntary on the part of the region and other Developing Countries. Ministers called upon Developed Countries who are responsible for most of the green house gas emissions to undertake strict mitigation measures to reduce emissions. With regard to “Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation” (REDD), Ministers resolved to support the SADC position.

5. Ministers noted the forthcoming Fifteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP 15). Ministers called upon the region to support proposals from SADC Member States and to reject counter proposals.

6. Ministers noted that “Access and Benefits Sharing” will be a major agenda item at the Tenth Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) to take place in October 2010 in Japan. Ministers resolved to prepare thoroughly for the Conference of the Parties.

7. Ministers approved the Sub-Regional Environmental Action Plan (SREAP), aimed at promoting sustainable use of the region’s natural resources, support implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and enhance human and institutional capacities for the region to address environmental challenges.

8. Ministers noted progress recorded by the Secretariat in initiating programmes on waste management, climate change, biodiversity, Transfrontier Conservation Areas and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.

9. Ministers expressed gratitude to the Government and the People of the Republic of Zimbabwe for the warm hospitality accorded to them and their delegations.

Done at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
13th November 2009 ;