Malawi
1
REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
Statement
By
Honourable Mrs. Catherine Gotani Hara, M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Management
At
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Rio de Janaiero, Brazil
22 June, 2012
2
Mr. President
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
At the outset, allow me to join the previous speakers in
congratulating the Government and the People of the Federal
Republic of Brazil for the hospitality and the excellent arrangements
made for this conference.
It is an honour for me to speak on behalf of the Government and the
People of the Republic of Malawi at this important Conference. Mr.
President, I convey to you and all Distinguished Delegates greetings
from the people of Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa, and best
wishes from our President- Her Excellency, Mrs. Joyce Banda.
Mr. President,
The Government and the People of Malawi are committed to
pursuing the sustainable development agenda. Our commitment is
demonstrated by the establishment of a stand-alone Ministry of
Environment and Climate Change Management. Our commitment
is further demonstrated through Malawi’s Vision 2020, and its medium
term implementation strategy, the Malawi Growth and Development
3
Strategy. The medium term implementation strategy provides the
framework for integrating the three dimensions of sustainable
development. The key priorities in the strategy include agriculture
and food security; environment and climate change management;
energy, industrial development, mining and tourism; education,
science and technology; and public health, sanitation and HIV and
AIDS management. While the Government is committed to
implementing these areas, its success will require technical and
financial support from the development and cooperating partners.
Mr. President
Poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing humankind today,
but its eradication is also a pre-requisite for sustainable
development. Poverty contributes to serious environmental
degradation which undermines economic growth. To eradicate
poverty, there is need to enhance productivity and diversification;
value addition; technology development and transfer; and access
to markets. All these initiatives would be meaningless if the
international community does not address the gaps in
implementation of the Agenda 21 and a speedy conclusion of the
Doha Round of trade negotiations.
4
Mr. President,
A green economy concept is relatively new, and transition to this
kind of economy can be challenging particularly to developing
countries like Malawi. Transition to green economy must, therefore,
be supported by a proper package of capacity building,
technology transfer and financial assistance.
Malawi believes that an inclusive green economy is a means to
achieve sustainable development at national and global levels.
There should be deliberate efforts to promote long term equitable
growth, green and decent jobs, resource efficiency and sustainable
production and consumption, human health and well-being. Malawi
has some case studies related to green economy that require up
scaling.
Mr. President
Malawi recognizes the need to coordinate implementation of the
sustainable development agenda at global, national and local
levels. The institutional framework should, therefore, adequately
provide for clear political leadership, proper coordination, stronger
policy and science interface, effectiveness and efficiency in
implementation, monitoring of progress, and must be transparent
and inclusive of all major groups. In this regard, Mr. President, the
5
Rio+20 Conference should strongly consider upgrading the existing
sustainable development institutions so that they have clear
mandates for them to provide better services in the implementation
of the sustainable development agenda. I would, therefore, like to
add my delegation’s voice to supporting the fact that UNEP should
remain in Nairobi including its transformation.
In conclusion, Mr. President, for Malawi, the Rio+20 Conference
offers a unique opportunity to secure renewed political commitment
by the Heads of State and Government gathered here for the
wellbeing of humanity. Therefore, the international community needs
to recognize the social, economic and environmental challenges
facing the developing countries, especially Least Developed
Countries. It is time we walk the talk, and we act with speed,
dedication and honesty in our commitments to alleviate the plight of
the poor in our countries. Lastly but not least, let me take this
opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Government and the
People of Malawi in advancing and pursuing the sustainable
development agenda.
Mr. President, Your Excellencies and Distinguished Delegates.
I thank you for your attention.
REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
Statement
By
Honourable Mrs. Catherine Gotani Hara, M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Management
At
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Rio de Janaiero, Brazil
22 June, 2012
2
Mr. President
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
At the outset, allow me to join the previous speakers in
congratulating the Government and the People of the Federal
Republic of Brazil for the hospitality and the excellent arrangements
made for this conference.
It is an honour for me to speak on behalf of the Government and the
People of the Republic of Malawi at this important Conference. Mr.
President, I convey to you and all Distinguished Delegates greetings
from the people of Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa, and best
wishes from our President- Her Excellency, Mrs. Joyce Banda.
Mr. President,
The Government and the People of Malawi are committed to
pursuing the sustainable development agenda. Our commitment is
demonstrated by the establishment of a stand-alone Ministry of
Environment and Climate Change Management. Our commitment
is further demonstrated through Malawi’s Vision 2020, and its medium
term implementation strategy, the Malawi Growth and Development
3
Strategy. The medium term implementation strategy provides the
framework for integrating the three dimensions of sustainable
development. The key priorities in the strategy include agriculture
and food security; environment and climate change management;
energy, industrial development, mining and tourism; education,
science and technology; and public health, sanitation and HIV and
AIDS management. While the Government is committed to
implementing these areas, its success will require technical and
financial support from the development and cooperating partners.
Mr. President
Poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing humankind today,
but its eradication is also a pre-requisite for sustainable
development. Poverty contributes to serious environmental
degradation which undermines economic growth. To eradicate
poverty, there is need to enhance productivity and diversification;
value addition; technology development and transfer; and access
to markets. All these initiatives would be meaningless if the
international community does not address the gaps in
implementation of the Agenda 21 and a speedy conclusion of the
Doha Round of trade negotiations.
4
Mr. President,
A green economy concept is relatively new, and transition to this
kind of economy can be challenging particularly to developing
countries like Malawi. Transition to green economy must, therefore,
be supported by a proper package of capacity building,
technology transfer and financial assistance.
Malawi believes that an inclusive green economy is a means to
achieve sustainable development at national and global levels.
There should be deliberate efforts to promote long term equitable
growth, green and decent jobs, resource efficiency and sustainable
production and consumption, human health and well-being. Malawi
has some case studies related to green economy that require up
scaling.
Mr. President
Malawi recognizes the need to coordinate implementation of the
sustainable development agenda at global, national and local
levels. The institutional framework should, therefore, adequately
provide for clear political leadership, proper coordination, stronger
policy and science interface, effectiveness and efficiency in
implementation, monitoring of progress, and must be transparent
and inclusive of all major groups. In this regard, Mr. President, the
5
Rio+20 Conference should strongly consider upgrading the existing
sustainable development institutions so that they have clear
mandates for them to provide better services in the implementation
of the sustainable development agenda. I would, therefore, like to
add my delegation’s voice to supporting the fact that UNEP should
remain in Nairobi including its transformation.
In conclusion, Mr. President, for Malawi, the Rio+20 Conference
offers a unique opportunity to secure renewed political commitment
by the Heads of State and Government gathered here for the
wellbeing of humanity. Therefore, the international community needs
to recognize the social, economic and environmental challenges
facing the developing countries, especially Least Developed
Countries. It is time we walk the talk, and we act with speed,
dedication and honesty in our commitments to alleviate the plight of
the poor in our countries. Lastly but not least, let me take this
opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Government and the
People of Malawi in advancing and pursuing the sustainable
development agenda.
Mr. President, Your Excellencies and Distinguished Delegates.
I thank you for your attention.
Stakeholders