Speech by Her Excellency Mrs. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, G.C.S.K., C.S.K., PhD., DSc President of the Republic of Mauritius on the occasion of the Launching of the Women s Forum Mauritius 2016 Monday 20 June, 2016 at 09 15 hrs Sugar Beach Resort & Spa, Wolmar, Flic en Flac
1 Honourable Ministers Mrs Lawrence Tubiana, French Ambassador for Climate Negotiations Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corps Mrs Jacqueline Franjou, Chief Executive Officer, Women s Forum Distinguished Delegates Ladies and Gentlemen, A very good morning to you all. A special welcome to all the participants who have travelled to Mauritius for this important gathering. It is indeed a great pleasure to be with you all for the launching of the Women s Forum Mauritius 2016. My special greetings to Mrs Sharmila Faruqui, the Honourable Minister for Culture and Tourism of the Government of Sindh, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Dr the Honorable Mrs Ravza Kan, Member of the Turkish Parliament. This event is being held for the first time in the African region, more particularly, in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). Its main objective is to underscore the preparedness of Mauritius, the SIDS and the African Countries in addressing the challenges and implications of climate change.
2 As I have said previously: Women are those who are and will be more affected by the impacts of climate change since they are more dependent for their livelihood on natural resources that are now presently under threat. This Forum is also a natural follow up of the COP21 summit held in Paris in December 2015 and the subsequent signing and ratification of the Paris Agreement by Mauritius last April in New York. The Paris Agreement was sealed when consensus was reached among countries to reduce their carbon emission and contain temperature so it does not rise beyond two degrees by the year 2100. In Paris, it was agreed that Climate Change is no longer an abstract scientific projection. It is reality!.. That is why it is critical to increase the involvement of one and all, especially, women at all levels to tackle the adverse effects of a changing climate. Mitigation and adaption measures have to be translated into appropriate policies and strategies which, if crafted, in a timely manner will increase our resilience to deal with climate issues, the more so as climate change will continue to threaten the backbone of our socio-economic development and severely hinder our pathway to achieve sustainable development.
3 More frequent severe weather events, changing rainfall patterns, and sea level rise are now a reality. It is estimated that climate change has already cost the global economy some $2 trillion over the last twenty years. Unfortunately, a disproportionate burden is and will be borne by the poorest and most vulnerable countries and populations when in fact they are not responsible for global warming. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are already experiencing severe storms, flash floods and increased sealevel rise with seawater affecting potable water as well as impacting agricultural land. In drought-prone regions in Africa, food insecurity and poor harvests are now a reality. Many African countries are facing failed crops and staples this year. Climate change is also being held responsible for another phenomenon - the increasing number of climate refugees. Many Small Island States constitute biodiversity hotspots. Over 32 biodiversity hotspots occupying a total land area of 1.4% of the entire land surface of the planet and host to over 40% of the global biodiversity are located in SIDS. This very small land area provides over 35% of the entire ecosystemic services to vulnerable communities.
4 Biodiversity underpins life on earth and yet, we take all this for granted and go further to assume that it is limitless. It is NOT. A few weeks ago, the results of a long-term study on the health of the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia, have found that a recent mass bleaching has killed 35% of corals on the northern and central Great Barrier Reef. This month itself, a British magazine has published pictures revealing the extent of the longest global coral reef bleaching in history that is impacting the Maldives, the Indian Ocean Archipelago. Coral reefs are important for the health of the ocean and its ecosystem as they support and harbour a high density of diverse organisms. Any negative impact on this same marine life would imply the extinction of major elements of terrestrial life. Mauritius, already ranked 14 th on the World Risk Report, has to deal with a rising sea level 6mm according to a recent report and this figure is significantly higher than the global average. Recent events of flash flooding, changing weather patterns, peaked temperatures, are all pointing to the effects of a changing climate.
5 Temperatures are reported to have increased by up to 1.1 C over the last decades, thus surpassing the global average increase of 0.85 C. Annual precipitations have reduced by 8% but are more intense and frequent, resulting in the occurrences of flood hazards. Kilometres of beaches are being eroded and landslides are becoming a growing concern. These environmental changes have no doubt devastating effects on our economy. The climate change projections for Mauritius appear even bleaker, with a further increase in temperature by 2 C, a 13% decrease in total utilizable water, and a 30% decrease in agricultural production. The projections are that our health will be threatened, livelihoods would be imperilled, self-sufficiency goals would be compromised and socio-economic losses would accentuate. Ladies and Gentlemen, The stakes are high. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is already causing tens of thousands of deaths every year arising from more frequent epidemics of diseases like cholera, the vastly expanded geographical distribution of diseases such as dengue, and from extreme weather events, like heatwaves and floods.
6 The WHO estimates that more than 7 million people die each year from diseases related to air pollution, making it the world s largest single environmental risk to health. Experts predict that, by 2030, climate change will be causing an additional 250,000 deaths each year from malaria, diarrhoeal disease, heat stress, and undernutrition alone. The heaviest burden will fall on children, women, and the poor, widening already unacceptable gaps in health outcomes. Ladies and Gentlemen, For years, we have been too complacent about climate change issues. We need to reverse the trend, and NOW, because tomorrow will be too late, if it s not already too late. In this regard, an education that empowers and enables people to seek collective ways to overcome current destructive trends remains a critical component of any successful strategy for achieving a sustainable future. Likewise, biodiversity conservation issues should focus on the need to manage our natural resources and environment, enhance public awareness so as to leave a legacy for future generations.
7 Communication, education and public awareness are inevitably essential elements for the successful and effective implementation of the conservation of biological diversity and to preserve our ecosystems. Biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing call for social change. And education and public awareness are long-term investments towards this change. Building capacity for tackling climate change in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with a particular focus on women, youth, and local and marginalized communities has to be couched in Martin Luther King s fierce urgency of now. Protecting and safeguarding our country s and the region s precious biodiversity will ensure sustainable development through innovative practices and at the same time, ensure access to clean water, energy and food. We must strongly and effectively promote biodiversity-related issues at all levels in our schools, right from the pre-primary level. This Women s Forum Mauritius is, to my mind, an excellent platform to feature men and women at the forefront of the climate, agriculture, energy and biodiversity debate.
8 Distinguished Participants, you will have the opportunity over these two days to interact with professionals on how to grapple with the challenges unleashed by global warming and its attendant implications on humanity. Tackling climate change presents new opportunities for innovative green growth, new sources of exports, and a stimulation of trade and innovation. It also compels us to review our living habits, to invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport, waste management, cities, and ways of producing and consuming. Climate action should be everyone s concern. And here, I appeal to the Press to continue to support and complement the Government's efforts in promoting public awareness at all levels of society. The private sector too, is an important stakeholder in the conservation of biodiversity and in the way it uses and manages natural resources. I have no doubt that we are well on course for an exciting Forum, especially with the presence of so many distinguished speakers, who are experts in their own respective fields. I would like also to extend my sincere appreciation to all the experts, some coming from very far, who have agreed to share their knowledge and experience with us.
9 I also wish to recognize the presence of our main international and local sponsors as well as Governmental bodies who have contributed to the organisation of this event in Mauritius. I have a special word of praise for the staff of my office for their relentless support and commitment, working tirelessly, very often during the weekends and at odd hours to make of this Forum a success. Furthermore, I wish to convey my deep appreciation to the staff of the Women s Forum Paris for their precious help in the organisation of this event. In conclusion, let me quote what the UN Secretary-General has said: (Quote) Climate change does not respect border; it does not respect who you are - rich and poor, small and big. Therefore, this is what we call 'global challenges,' which require global solidarity. (Unquote) I remain convinced that the Women s Forum Mauritius will elicit positive policy responses in our effort to implement sustainable development goals. I wish you all well and good luck in your deliberation. I thank you for your attention.