Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, highlighted African priorities for climate and environmental action as part of her participation in the international meeting Stockholm +50, held on June 2 and 3 in the Swedish capital.
Benali, who delivered a speech on behalf of the “African Group,” stressed that Africa needs better access and greater efficiency of financial flows to cope with climate change, both for mitigation and adaptation, referring in this regard, the quote of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on “the reform of bureaucracy.”
Recalling that the contributions determined at the national level of African countries must be translated into a portfolio of bankable projects to attract large-scale investment, especially from the private sector.
The minister called for improving budgetary policies and stressed the need to support African countries in their plans for fair and sustainable transition.
In a statement issued following her intervention at the international meeting, the official noted that the “African Group” has launched many regional initiatives, including an initiative for renewable energy in Africa, the Great Green Wall for the Sahara, the Sahel and Southern Africa, as well as an initiative for the adaptation of African agriculture to current and future climate needs.
Benali called for international support for the implementation of these initiatives, to provide rapid access to funding, in order to enable African countries to address the factors of desertification, land degradation and drought.
Referring to the major socio-economic importance of the agriculture sector in the continent, the Minister stressed the need to strengthen strategic partnerships involving the private sector and international financial institutions in order to increase financing opportunities for African smallholder farmers and strengthen their resilience.
At the end of her speech, the minister said that bridging the digital divide and improving health systems can increase productivity and create more opportunities for women and youth, potentially lifting more than 60 million people out of poverty.
The Stockholm International Meeting is being held under the theme “Stockholm+50: A Healthy Planet for Global Prosperity – Our Responsibility, Our Opportunity.”
The event aims to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, and reinforce the messages and outcomes of the special session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), dedicated to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of UNEP (UNEP@50) held in Nairobi in March 2022, under the presidency of Morocco, currently heading the UNEA6.
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