Date: 04/09/2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs
Title: SA: Mtshali: Speech by the ambassador of South African Mission to the United Nations, at the Third World Climate Conference

DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR GJ MTSHALI
PLENIPOTENTIARY AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN
PERMANENT MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL
ORGANISATIONS

ON BEHALF OF THE HON B SONJICA MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Secretary General of the United Nations,
Secretary General of the WMO,
Heads of UN agencies and other international organisations,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

South Africa would like to firstly, congratulate the WMO on the
successful hosting of this Third World Climate Conference and secondly,
thank the Government and people of Switzerland for their warm
hospitality.

Mr Chair, the science of climate change has been widely accepted by the
international community. We all agree that this is a major global
challenge with significant impacts that require global and multi-lateral
solutions. The science has also clearly demonstrated that that the
adverse effects of climate change are already being felt and that these
impacts will be most severe in developing countries, with the African
continent and Small Island Developing States being uniquely vulnerable.

South Africa's actual experience of the adverse effects of climate
change and climate variability thus far, include, short term impacts of
extreme weather events; medium term impacts such as seasonal drought
cycles; and long term impacts related to the gradual temperature
increase, sea level rise, decadal shifts in precipitation patterns and
ocean acidification.

Mr Chair, let me be absolutely clear; as a developing country, South
Africa's over-riding priorities are poverty reduction and
socio-economic development. In this context, our immediate priorities
include the urgent delivery of basic human development services to the
poor and most vulnerable, and include ensuring access to housing, water,
sanitation, food security, energy, transport, education and public
health services.

However, in many African countries, it is becoming increasingly clear
that our ability to deliver on these fundamental developmental
priorities, at all levels, is being persistently undermined by these
short, medium and long term climate impacts. Therefore, we stress that
an agreement on a comprehensive international adaptation programme is a
priority outcome of the current international climate change
negotiations under the UNFCCC. Supporting and building capacity to adapt
to the impacts of climate change and manage climate variability risks to
society and the economy at national, regional and global levels, has
become a high development priority.

Mr Chair, experience has taught us the importance of the interface
between science, policy and society to ensure that development
priorities are effectively and efficiently addressed. Therefore, we
stress the need to underpin any adaptation and risk management responses
with reliable science-based information which is matched to user needs,
full stakeholder participation and effective communication frameworks.

It is against this background that South Africa enthusiastically
supports and welcomes the resolution of this Conference to establish a
Global Framework for Climate Services.

We consider this global initiative an important step to ensure that our
collaborative management of the adverse effects, risks and impacts of
climate change and climate variability are informed by science and are
needs-based and country-driven with the full participation of
stakeholders.

South Africa stresses that the Global Framework is not about
"re-inventing the wheel" but must in fact build on, create
coherence among, support and strengthen existing initiatives, programmes
and institutions, and support the dissemination of best practice,
particularly those in developing countries. For example, South Africa is
already significantly participating and investing in the various
elements that could be included in a Global Framework. These efforts
should be strengthened and identified gaps filled, such as:

● Investments in base infrastructure such as high performance
computing, earth observation systems, weather radars, lightning
detections systems, and automated weather stations
● The World Meteorological Organisations' Severe Weather
Forecast Demonstration Pilot Project to allow for timely and accurate
forecasting of high impact weather events
● Supporting the newly established Meteorological Association of
Southern Africa (MASA)
● The development of a Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, to facilitate
access by stakeholders to relevant information on climate, risk and
vulnerability and which incorporates the use of traditional and
indigenous knowledge
● Data communications between national weather services remain a
major weakness in Africa resulting in the loss of data and limited
provision of meteorological information and requires appropriate
technology transfer and needs driven capacity support.
● Renewed global efforts and resource mobilization to increase
observations in developing countries is urgently required to improve our
adaptation capabilities.

In conclusion, the South African delegation and I would like to commend
the delegates in this conference for advancing the discussion on the
interface between science, climate policy and fundamental livelihood
sectors needed to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals. South Africa is committed to continue playing an
active role in the development and implementation of the Global
Framework for Climate Services.

I thank you.