Cape Town, South Africa,
28 June 2013 - The 15th BASIC Ministerial
Meeting on Climate Change was held in Cape
Town, South Africa, on 26-28 June 2013.
H.E. Mr. Xie Zhenhua, Vice Chairman of the
National Development and Reform Commission
of China, H.E. Ms. Edna Molewa, Minister
of Water and Environmental Affairs of South
Africa, Mr. T.S. Tirumurti, Joint Secretary,
Ministry of External Affairs of India, H.E.
Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago, Director
of the Department of the Environment and
Special Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Brazil participated in the meeting.
BASIC Ministers noted
the developments around former President
Mandela’s health and wished this global
icon and role model a speedy recovery and
wished his family strength during this difficult
period.
BASIC Ministers welcomed
progress made at the recent UNFCCC meeting
in Bonn under the Ad Hoc Working Group on
the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action
as well as the acknowledgement by Parties
that both the process and the outcome of
the negotiations will be under the UNFCCC,
and that all of its principles, provisions
and Annexes of the Convention shall apply,
in particular the principles of equity and
common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities. They reaffirmed
that the Durban Platform is by no means
a process to negotiate a new regime, nor
to renegotiate, rewrite or reinterpret the
Convention, and that future agreement will
be built on institutions and mechanisms,
including the work carried out by Parties
under the Bali Road Map in accordance with
its principles and provisions, and also
strengthen the multilateral rules-based
system. Ministers reaffirmed that the 2015
agreement should address the four pillars
of adaptation, mitigation, finance and technology
development and transfer in a balanced,
comprehensive and holistic manner.
Ministers emphasized
that the Convention itself has provided
the structure of the future agreement, which
define the differentiated commitments and
actions for developed and developing countries.
The future agreement shall follow the structure
and provisions of the Convention, in particular
the provisions of Articles 4 and 12, as
well as the Annexes, which fully reflect
the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities. Ministers specifically
referred to Articles 3.1 and 4.2 of the
Convention in respect of developed countries
taking the lead in tackling the climate
change challenge, in accordance with their
historical responsibilities and as demanded
by science.
Ministers reaffirmed
that the 2015 agreement shall be based on
science and the principles of equity and
common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities, as well as
the promotion of sustainable development.
The enhanced mitigation and adaptation actions
of developing countries should be enabled
by the provision of adequate finance, technology
development and transfer and capacity building
support from developed countries. The implementation
of Article 4.7 is crucial for the 2015 agreement.
They also underlined that post-2020 enhanced
action should not merely build on the respective
capabilities.
Ministers recognized
that the roundtables and workshops enabled
Parties to enhance their understanding about
each other’s positions on issues related
to both the work-streams of the Durban Platform.
However, Ministers welcomed the call for
a more balanced, focused, structured and
formal mode of work on the Durban Platform.
This is indeed necessary since there is
a need to start focusing on the issues identified
in the Durban and Doha mandates, so that
the four pillars can be enhanced.
With regards to Workstream
II, Ministers once again stressed that pre-2020
ambition shall primarily be achieved through
the implementation of the 2nd commitment
period of the Kyoto Protocol and the outcome
of the Bali Action Plan in accordance with
the principles and provisions of the Convention.
In the context of the inadequacy of developed
countries’ current commitments on emission
reductions and provision of finance and
technology support, Ministers called for
a comprehensive approach to raising ambition
in the pre-2020 implementation phase, covering
mitigation, adaptation and finance and technology
support.
Ministers noted with
concern that there is evidently a huge ambition
gap between what developed country Parties
have pledged and what is required by science
and their historical responsibility. Studies
show that if Annex I Parties as a whole
commit to the ambition level of 40% below
the 11000 levels, the pre-2020 ambition
gap will be fully addressed. In this context,
Ministers called for the urgent ratification
of the amendments to the KP establishing
the second commitment period, emphasized
the importance of revisiting and then increasing
QELROs under the second commitment period
of KP in 2014, and raising the ambition
of the comparable pledges in the same timeframe
by Annex I Parties not participating in
the second commitment period of the KP.
They reemphasized that the Annex I Parties’
lack of ambition has the effect of transferring
the responsibilities of the developed countries
to the developing countries, and would impact
the post 2020 period.
Ministers noted with
consternation that the mitigation contributions
by developing country Parties is much greater
than that by developed country Parties who
should take the lead in combating climate
change. Any activities, whether internationally
or domestically supported, are part of their
efforts to implement their nationally appropriate
mitigation actions that have been presented.
Any international cooperative initiatives
may facilitate the implementation by developing
countries of their presented actions, but
shall not attempt to transfer to developing
countries the commitments and obligations
of developed countries.
Ministers called for
the Warsaw COP to enhance confidence building
amongst Parties through the full implementation
of previous decisions including addressing
the pre-2020 finance gap, and defining a
clear pathway to reaching the goal of providing
US $100 billion by 2020 per annum. Ministers
further called for the full operationalization
of mechanisms established under the Convention
including the Green Climate Fund, the Climate
Technology Center & Network, the Adaptation
Committee as well as addressing issues of
IPR and unilateral measures in a purposeful
manner. They underlined that full implementation
of the existing decisions is a sine qua
non for the success of the 2015 agreement.
Ministers welcomed the
cognizance of the principles enshrined in
the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, including
the principles of common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities,
by the 65th session of the Marine Environment
Protection Committee of the International
Maritime Organization. Ministers agreed
that the discussion on market based measures
in International Civil Aviation Organization,
including those measures undertaken within
the national jurisdiction, should be based
on the principles enshrined in UNFCCC and
its Kyoto Protocol. Ministers reaffirmed
the importance of multilateralism in addressing
climate change in accordance with the principles
and provisions of the Convention, and reiterated
their strong opposition to any unilateral
measures on international civil aviation
and shipping, as well as similar intentions
regarding other sectors.
Ministers emphasized
that HFCs are greenhouse gases covered under
the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol and shall
accordingly be addressed in accordance with
its principles and provisions. They agreed
to work multilaterally to find an agreed
way forward on this issue.
Ministers considered
further work by experts on the equitable
access to sustainable development and encouraged
experts to continue their discussions, taking
into account views expressed by Ministers
in this session.
Further considering
the work of experts, Ministers considered
adaptation and its role in the 2015 Agreement.
They indicated that commitments should not
be limited to mitigation, but include adaptation
as a matter of equal priority – as well
as the provision of finance, technology
development and transfer and capacity-building
support for both. In particular, Ministers
recalled Article 4.4. of the Convention
as well as Article 4.1(e), which provides
for international cooperation in preparing
for adaptation. They emphasized that support
by developed countries is needed for developing
countries to fulfill their commitments to
their citizens. Hence, adaptation and its
funding must be included in any agreement
that is equitable. The Ministers mandated
the BASIC experts to engage with a wider
range of experts on adaptation and its role
in the negotiations to elaborate this thinking.
Ministers took note
of the report from experts on their considerations
on the 2013 -15 Review, including the reports
by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change Working Groups for fifth assessment
report as a primary source of information
together with other relevant information
in particular these reflect actions on the
ground. They were of the view that technical
inputs into the 2015 Agreement are crucial,
and must reflect balance of the adequacy
of the long-term global goal, overall progress
made towards meeting the long term global
goal, including the implementation of the
commitments under the Convention as well
as information from developed and developing
country experts.
Ministers underlined
their commitment to the unity of the BASIC
countries. They stressed the utmost importance
of the unity of G77 and China, and reaffirmed
the commitment of BASIC countries to strengthen
it. Ministers underlined the urgency of
combating climate change, and reiterated
their continued efforts to enhance South-South
cooperation.
Ministers welcomed the
offer by Brazil to host the 16th BASIC Ministerial
Meeting in September 2013.
+ More
South Africa and Mozambique
agree to improved cooperation on combating
rhino poaching within the Great Limpopo
Transfrontier Conservation Area
15 June 2013 - The Minister
of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mrs
Edna Molewa, yesterday, 14 June 2013 held
constructive talks with Mozambique Minister
of Tourism, Mr Carvalho Muaria, in Maputo
on concrete actions to be taken by both
countries to combat the scourge of rhino
poaching.
The talks focused on
the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation
Area, established in 2002, with an emphasis
on joint cooperation between South Africa,
Mozambique and Zimbabwe on issues of cross-border
conservation.
The unfortunate scourge
of rhino poaching that has resulted in the
killing of 408 rhinos in South Africa since
the beginning of the year led to these frank
and open talks on means to deal with the
problem.
A total number of 265
rhinos have been poached in the Kruger National
Park, which forms part of the Great Limpopo
Transfrontier Park and which shares an eastern
border with Mozambique, since January 2013.
Since 2008, 2062 rhinos have been poached
for their horns in South Africa.
Of the 121 poachers
arrested nationally, a total of 56 suspected
poachers were arrested in the Kruger National
Park. Of the 119 alleged poachers presently
facing prosecution in South African courts,
37 are foreign nationals and 24 of those
are Mozambicans.
The objective of the
Ministerial meeting was to discuss the successes
achieved by this partnership between South
Africa and Mozambique on the management
of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation
Area (TFCA).
Minister Molewa was
accompanied by the Mpumalanga MEC for Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism, Ms
Pinky Phosa, the CEO of SANParks Dr David
Mabunda and the Department of Environmental
Affairs’ Deputy Director General: Biodoversity
and Conservation, Mr Fundisile Mketeni.
The two countries agreed
to continue to build on the original vision
of the transboundary conservation area encapsulated
by leaders such as ailing former President
Nelson Mandela and former Mozambican President
Joachim Chissano, and Zimbabwe president
Robert Mugabe to ensure the TFCA was a region
of peace, security and reconciliation and
would not continue down the path of a war
zone.
The Ministers acknowledged
that both countries are faced with the challenge
of addressing a loss of heritage and the
loss of lives, agreeing that this was an
area where joint cooperation was required
most.
South Africa and Mozambique
not only shared a common border, but also
common languages and a common heritage.
The Ministers agreed
that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between Mozambique and South Africa on cooperation
in the field of Biodiversity Conservation
and Management be signed as soon as possible
and that steps to finalise the document
be taken urgently.
The Ministers also agreed
that a task team, comprising all departments
and state institutions dealing with poaching
and safety and security, give immediate
attention to a set of recommendations agreed
to by both countries.
The recommendations
included:
The establishment of
a joint law enforcement operation in the
Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park that
includes the revival of cross-border hot
pursuits.
The signing of cooperation agreement by
the Ministers on the joint protection and
management of elephant and rhino within
the GLTP and the Great Limpopo Conservation
area.
Interventions aimed at creating sustainable
jobs and improving the livelihoods of communities
surrounding the GLTP.
The erection of a effective fence around
the GLTP in order to halt human incursions
into the conservation area and as a means
of curbing poaching.
“We had very frank discussions with our
counterparts in Mozambique and we are glad
that we are moving forward. It is an indication
that we can work together to curb this problem
of poaching,” said Minister Molewa after
the Ministerial meeting.
The Minister noted
the steps being taken by Mozambique to address
the problems of rhino and elephant poaching,
including the relocation of communities
still residing within the boundaries of
the TFCA.
The Minister welcomed
the relocation of communities out of the
TFCA, expressing satisfaction that the process
to move 1200 families will be completed
by 2016.
Minister Muaria said
the relocation of communities needed to
include actions that would result in the
upliftment of young people and a move away
from poverty through the creation of sustainable
projects.
Minister Molewa said
the signing of an MOU before the end of
January 2014 would assist in building joint
cooperation in security, the sharing of
information, the exchange of technology
and the harmonisation of legislation as
was stated in the Treaty establishing the
TFCA in 2002.
South Africa was interested
in arresting the kingpins behind the rhino
illegal trade as this would not only eliminate
the problem of poaching, but also stop syndicates
from preying on poor communities and individuals
trapped in poverty.
“We are worried as
South Africa that our rhino are being poached.
We need to work much harder to solve the
problem of poaching and today we have recommitted
ourselves to working together, and as SADC
as a whole,” said Minister Molewa.
