UN funds Malawi delegation to CoP28
The United Nations (UN) office in the country has sponsored the Malawi delegation to the Conference of Parties (CoP28) to the UN Framework on Climate Change in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
UN Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh said on Saturday that the UN is supporting the Malawi delegation, which includes government officials, civil society and youth representatives.
She said: “Malawi’s participation in this year’s climate summit is important, particularly in light of recent events in Malawi.
“The UN in Malawi is committed to support efforts that will help to amplify calls for urgent action and accelerated investments to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, protecting vulnerable people, communities and livelihoods.”
In a memo dated November 23 2023, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Bernard Sande said Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Michael Usi will lead the delegation.
The trip comes barely weeks after President Lazarus Chakwera announced a ban on government-sponsored international travel as part of austerity measures towards resuscitating an economy on its knees. The President also said he would not travel abroad until March next year.
In an interview yesterday, Usi said following the President’s directive, delegates will not use public funds.
“Malawi will be represented at CoP28 and I am leading that team but not a single tambala from the government will be used on this trip. Development partners will assist us,” he said.
But in an interview yesterday, environmental advocate Mathews Malata, while welcoming the President’s move to save public funds, said this trip is justifiable to have the President attend in person.
“We need over $949.4 million to recover from different disasters, but we have raised only $130.3 million leaving a huge gap. His speech on this would have made a huge difference at CoP28,” he said.
About 200 countries, leaders of business organisations, development partners and civil society will gather for the climate conference starting on November 30 to December 12 2023.
