SA and Benin to push Africa at COP 17
2011-11-24 20:25
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Johannesburg - South Africa and Benin need to work together during the COP17 conference to ensure the interests of Africa were highlighted, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.
"There are opportunities for investments in the fields of renewable energy, marine aquaculture development, wildlife management, waste services as well as ecosystems rehabilitation programmes to name a few," Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery at the end of his official talks with Benin's President Boni Yayi.
"There are many other initiatives that we can pursue together to protect the future, while not destroying industries and jobs," he said.
South Africa wanted to partner with Benin in "greening our economies" as small island states and countries in Africa were becoming more vulnerable, said Zuma.
Faster economic growth and poverty eradication could be achieved alongside sustaining natural resources.
Zuma said the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17), to be held in Durban, had to produce a multilateral climate change regime that was fair, credible, balanced, inclusive and effective.
"We want to challenge the notion that there is a trade-off to be made between faster economic growth and the preservation of our environment," he said.
- SAPA