Somlomo obekekileyo, Malungu ePhalamente kunye nabasemzini ... [Hon Speaker, Members of Parliament and visitors ...]
... as we approach the African Conference of the Parties, COP, otherwise known as the 17th Conference of the Parties, COP 17, let me share what I deem to be the expected leadership role of Parliament on climate change. It is a national duty, which is even captured in its current theme: "Parliament as a champion for action on climate change".
The road map from Copenhagen through Cancun to eThekwini is full of memories worth sharing, especially the turnaround from Copenhagen to Cancun, thanks to the good work by the Mexican government. Prospects of success in COP 17 are supposed to be buttressed by our Parliament as well.
Undoubtedly the framework for Parliament's contributions derives mainly from the ANC, which has played a leading role in shaping global debates on environmental justice, including in our participation in the Rio Earth Summit, followed by South Africa's hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.
Whilst there may have been limited success in Cancun, let me be quick to caution that entrenched economic interests are strong enough to limit the breakthrough we so much yearn for. As an analogy, let me take the global trade negotiations, whose prospects are threatened by the looming demise of the Doha Round. Once again entrenched economic interests have taken precedence and ascendancy, which compels me to make a clarion call that we need to avoid a repeat of such in the climate change negotiations.
COP 15 was supposed to adopt a new international agreement to replace certain aspects of the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire in 2012, but that was unsuccessful.
What lessons can we draw from the historical paradigm shift that took place in Cancun? A lot of persuasive exercises were central to the preparations by the Mexican government during its presidency. Beyond the plethora of consultations driven by the Mexican government, the Mexican parliament also played a crucial role in building consensus, which eventuated in the Cancun Agreement.
Our South African parliamentary delegation was also involved in attending the various meetings, such as the Globe Climate Change Legislators' Forum, and the joint session between the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and the Mexican Parliament on the role of parliamentarians in climate change, which was another landmark in advancing the much needed consensus-building efforts. It was evident from the discussions that Members of Parliament, MPs, have a critical role to play in averting climate change.
What then do we expect from Parliament? Whilst appearing as nascent in character, events highlight the leadership role parliaments have to play in the efforts to address climate change, and such leadership goes beyond merely preparing for events.
Ratification of international instruments, including any agreements emanating from climate change negotiations, is done by parliaments. The dilemma is that parliaments have to ratify instruments to which they have neither had input, albeit remote, nor been adequately exposed in regard to the intricacies of such negotiations. This is a sore point that needs intensive interrogation and debate - how and why parliaments ratify instruments they hardly have any input on.
Oversight is undoubtedly another role that has to be aptly articulated. Reference has been made to one of the resolutions of the Pan-African Parliament, which recommended in 2010 that African parliaments, in consultation with the civil societies in each country, be afforded opportunities to influence budgets on integrating issues regarding climate change. Such oversight should also extend to monitoring the utilisation of funds from the Green Climate Fund.
Facilitation of public participation, especially through constituency work, as well as engaging in various international activities related to climate change, will go a long way towards providing the expected leadership. If a sizeable number of parliaments can integrate climate change issues into committee programmes, the impact of their contribution on climate change will definitely be felt.
As a strategic approach, there is a need to save climate change negotiations, so that they do not to slide towards their demise, like the Doha Round. Hon members, eThekwini should not be the graveyard of the Kyoto Protocol. This means that we have a duty and responsibility to mobilise all our allies and networks locally, continentally and globally, as requested by the African Group of Negotiators, to achieve this goal.
Focus on the second commitment on the Kyoto Protocol is essential and needs a display of the broadest support, both locally and globally. Parliaments can also play a crucial role in this regard. Internally, within Parliament, the parliamentary programme on climate change must be driven intensively, with the passion it deserves, together with the requisite political management by parliamentarians, and co-operation and co-ordination of the programme's activities with staff.
As we may all agree, development has, inter alia, to be anchored in sustainability, and therefore we are also obliged to integrate climate change issues with the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. Achievement of the MDGs by 2014 and the hosting of COP 17 later this year are amongst the key major events on this Parliament's calendar.
One of the five priority areas identified in the ANC 2009 election manifesto is the "creation of decent work and sustainable livelihoods". The ANC is committed to action leading to the meeting of 2014 MDG targets, that is, developing and investing in programmes to create large numbers of green jobs.
What about progress towards COP 17? There is a very clear intention that, from now onwards, we will be greening Parliament. And, please, watch this space - that is definitely going to take place!
Furthermore, there are four core pillars in Parliament's programme on climate change. The first is enhanced oversight, including the need to assess and monitor negotiations and facilitate public participation.
This is followed by the promotion of a campaign on climate change, as well as promotion of South Africa's position and particularly the African common position on this. The promotion of the common position of Africa is fundamental, because thus far we have managed to a great extent to integrate our national interests with those of the continent.
The next core pillar is constituency work focusing on climate change, as well as tool kits currently developed for MPs.
I would like to share with members that towards the end of October we will be hosting a national consultative forum with different sectors involved in climate change, with the aim of striving for broad consensus amongst various stakeholders, as well as of promoting the African common position.
There will be a multiparty delegation of MPs attending the African COP, as well as the regular IPU meeting cohosted by our Parliament. At this meeting a resolution containing the position of parliaments globally on the expected outcomes of COP 17 will be adopted.
In conclusion, it is evident that there are expectations that Parliament should provide leadership as part of the leadership collective effort by the state, leadership that goes beyond what Mexico achieved, whether expressed through the voices of the ordinary people, the media, the various sectors of society or Parliament itself.
Our noble efforts on climate change offer a lifetime opportunity for humanity to introduce paradigm shifts in development generally, through addressing challenges on climate change. I say this because climate change is, inter alia, a symptom of a larger phenomenon, distortions of production and consumption, particularly by developed countries. Should we change these distortions fundamentally, there is definitely a more than bright future for us.
Provision of leadership, as a legislature institutionally, and as public representatives individually, must be a dream cherished by all of us, irrespective of political affiliation. I therefore say that leading by example - promoting a Parliament which is a champion for action on climate change - must also be a dream come true in the not so distant future. The journey from COP 1 to African COP is loaded with both inspiration and challenges regarding what leadership parliaments should provide in conjunction with other components of the state.
Maz' enethole, uKhongolose uyayixhasa le ngxelo ye-COP 16. [Thank you, the ANC supports this report of COP 16.]
I thank you for your attention. [Applause.]