Remarks by Minister Barbara Creecy on the occasion of the launch of the South African Pavilion at UNFCCC COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

06 December 2023

Programme director
House chairs, Whips and members of parliament
Deputy Minister of COGTA, Mr Parks Tau
South Africa’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Saad Cachalia
Consul General of the Republic of South Africa in Dubai, His Excellency Tsepo Lebona
MECs 
Presidential Climate Commissioners, the CEO and other senior officials
CEO of the National Business Initiative, Ms Shameela Soobramoney 
All CEOs present
South African delegates
Our esteemed guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

Good evening
Goeie naand
Sanibonani
Molweni
Dumelang
Ndi madekwana
Reperile
Thobela

Allow me to convey our warm greetings on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa to everyone present here at the launch of the South Africa Pavilion in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

This launch marks an important milestone in the journey which started at CoP23 in Bonn, Germany. The South Africa Pavilion showcases the mutually beneficial relationship that exists between government and the National Business Initiative (NBI) in the fight against climate change.

Our partnership aims to ensure that as we consider climate risks, we also focus on economic opportunities that can boost resilience, ensure energy security, create jobs and shared prosperity and promote infrastructure development.

His Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, said when he delivered the national statement to this CoP, that we cannot lose momentum in the fight against climate change. He emphasized that climate action is key to South Africa’s sustainable development agenda and no developing country should be forced to choose between meeting its sustainable development goals and promoting climate resilience.

Accordingly, our President emphasized the need for new predictable, at scale and appropriate public finance to help developing economy countries build climate resilience.

He also advocated for the reform of the global financial system so that financial flows reach the global south in a manner that does not compound then indebted status of developing countries or place a disproportionate debt burden on future generations.

African countries are among the most vulnerable to the effects of a rapidly changing climate, and – like other developing economy countries – are least responsible for the catastrophic warming of our planet.

Accordingly, South Africa is committed to contributing our best effort to reduce green house gas emissions commensurate with the global temperature goal.

However, science tells us that even in a 2 degree world extreme weather events will impact lives, livelihoods, food and water security, human and animal health and the built environment. Hence, we must all adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change.

Accordingly, SA joins the rest of the continent in advocating for CoP 28 to deliver a global goal on adaptation with clear targets and indicators.

Ladies and gentlemen

As many of you would know by now, in October this year, the National Assembly adopted our Climate Change Bill. Furthermore, in November our Cabinet approved the Implementation Plan for the country’s Just Energy Transition.

This plan focuses on areas critical to a just transition, including investment in electricity infrastructure, new energy vehicles, green hydrogen, skills development, municipal electricity distribution, and interventions directed at communities most affected by the energy transition.

There are also promising developments underway in our country to harness the potential of green hydrogen, and to beneficiate critical minerals and rare earths in support of development and driving the green transition.

Ladies and gentlemen

This year we have also extended an invitation to the SA Pavillion to the Keiskamma Community Group from the tiny town and surrounding villages of Hamburg in the Eastern Cape. This group of women has created a tapestry depicting the impact of climate change on their daily lives, and their vision for a climate resilient community. The tapestry will be displayed here in the SA Pavilion for the duration of the CoP.

Allow me to acknowledge Ms. Nkosazana Veronica Betani who represents this community.

Ladies and gentlemen

On Monday we updated the SA delegation on the negotiations. Issues have progressed and our negotiators are currently in meetings to finalise various agenda items. On Friday we will start the high-level Ministerial segment where issues will be brought to the political process to facilitate outcomes.

Let me thank the National Business Initiative and the hard-working team for all the good work they have done to put together an interesting and inspiring CoP 28 program. I am sure you all agree they deserve a big round of applause.

I thank you.