ESWATINI CLIMATE CHANGE YOUTH PARLIAMENT OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!

BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA

(Pics Courtesy of Thembelihle G. Maseko)

MBABANE– History in the making!

Today, Eswatini saw the launch of the first-of-its-kind, the Eswatini Climate Change Youth Parliament.

This was at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, where 24 youths from the country were officially introduced at the new Climate Change Parliamentarians in the country.

Gracing the event was the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Moses Vilakati, who said climate change, needed no introduction.

“We have experienced the devastating impacts in Eswatini, the SADC region, Africa, and globally. The frequency of floods, storms, record-breaking heat waves across the world and drought have brought uncertainty to the future of the planet.

“The past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, fuelled by ever-rising greenhouse gas concentrations and accumulated heat. These extreme events have affected millions and cost billions in 2022, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s provisional State of the Global Climate in 2022 report. Indeed, climate change is the biggest threat to existence. It is sad to imagine that we will leave all these challenges to today’s youth, children, and future generations,” said Vilakati.

The Honourable Minister further said at a global level, one of the milestones of COP 27 in Egypt was the adoption of the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) action plan where young people became official stakeholders in climate policy.

“Through this action plan, young people have been given a seat at international forums to voice out their opinions on the design and implementation of policies. Furthermore, through this plan, young people are being supported and capacitated to work with governments and organizations around the world on the formulation of policies that will reflect and incorporate the public opinions of young people.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has heeded the developments emanating from COP 27 and the urgent need for climate action, hence the creation of this forum. We aim to provide a platform for the inclusion of young people in the development and implementation of climate change policies in the country. Through this Youth Parliament platform, we hope to strengthen the participation of the young people of Eswatini in climate policy and decision-making at the national level. In essence, we hope that our young people will be able to shape policies that affect their future and work with decision-makers who will not be there to see the impacts of decisions made today.”

The Minister further said young people would be equipped with knowledge and skills to help us navigate the climate space.

“This platform will not only focus on the development of policies but also contribute to the efforts tailored by the country to circumvent the high unemployment rates among the youth. The youth parliament initiative will also build capacity among the youth to empower innovation on climate change solutions.

“The theme of the Youth Parliament focuses on climate change and the water, energy, and food security sectors, which are sectors that are heavily impacted by the climate change crisis. We believe that a strong nexus approach between water, climate, energy, and food is essential to achieve our climate action goals. We need to ensure coherency in policies developed in these key climate change sectors, exploit available synergies across our NDC implementation, and promote positive trade-offs from the sectoral actions,” said Vilakati.

Representing the Hhohho Region:

1. Ayandziswa Gama
2. Kayise Bhembe
3. Bukisile Dlamini
4. Francois Madolo
5. Zandisile Howe
6. Mandla Dlamini

Representing the Manzini Region:

1. Sibongo Ndzinisa
2. Hope Chidyamarambe
3. Tiphelele Lukhele
4. Delight Makaza
5. Gcina Dlamini
6. Meluleki Simelane

Representing the Lubombo Region:

1. Siphelele Nkambule
2. Tebenguni Simelane
3. Nothando Mabila
4. Mazw’okuphila Simelane
5. Moses Mantimakhulu
6. Sphelele Tsabedze

Representing the Shiselweni Region:

1. Nkosingiphile Kwanele Magongo
2. Nonjabulo Simelane
3. Celumusa Tengetile Dlamini
4. Melusi Simelane
5. Melusi Lukhele
6. Thandolwethu Malinga