The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has called for an action-driven and adequately funded adaptation and mitigation agenda to help developing economies tackle the climate crisis.
The Minister made these remarks while participating in the 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Germany, which is taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“The Dialogue will offer South Africa a key platform to strengthen its commitment to climate action, promote fair solutions tailored to the distinct challenges of developing countries, and enhance global cooperation,” he said in a statement.
The event brings together high-level representatives from about 40 countries to discuss concrete steps to address the climate crisis and rebuild confidence in multilateral climate negotiations.
Discussions are focused on three key areas: mitigation — including efforts to close the gap to 1.5°C; climate finance and investment, particularly the implementation of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for adaptation finance; and strengthening the multilateral climate regime to accelerate implementation.
These engagements are expected to help countries demonstrate balance and credibility by integrating adaptation action and finance into preparations for COP31 and the anticipated African COP32 next year.
The annual high-level conference serves as a bridge between successive United Nations climate conferences and focuses on advancing international cooperation and accelerating the transition to climate-neutral economies.
“For South Africa, the extent to which Parties successfully implement the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake will be judged by both the full execution of their Nationally Determined Contributions and the availability of financing to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries,” Aucamp said.
The Dialogue was established in 2010 by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to help pave the way for negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
COP31 will be held in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026, with a focus on advancing green industrialisation, accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels, and finalising 2035 emission reduction targets.
The Petersberg Climate Dialogue Ministerial meeting provides an informal yet strategic platform for countries to deliberate on key issues under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, including the Global Goal on Adaptation, mitigation ambition, loss and damage, and the provision of international climate finance. - SAnews.gov.za
