Dakar, 11 August 2022 (TDI): UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J Mohammed, met with the president of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall. This meeting was held in Dakar, Senegal.
En visite à Dakar, Mme @AminaJMohammed, vice SG des @UN s’est entretenue ce jour avec le Chef de l’Etat @Macky_Sall. L’audience a porté sur les questions d’intérêt commun en l’occurrence les défis relatifs aux changements climatiques et la transition dans certains pays africains. pic.twitter.com/nMvbsSdw2c
— Présidence Sénégal (@PR_Senegal) August 10, 2022
Various discussions addressing mutual challenges to the parties were also carried out. These discussions revolved around the issue of Climate change and African states’ adaptation to it.
United Nations on climate change
The United Nations Organization has been fighting against climate change on the frontlines. Among the SDGs i.e. Sustainable Development Goals, taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts is the thirteenth goal.
To achieve the goals of reducing global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, United Nations collaborates with various International Non-Governmental Organizations.
Also read: UN Secretary General West Africa Trip
The Global Carbon Emissions during the Covid-19 pandemic dropped by a total of 6%. This success was possible mainly due to travel restrictions.
By taking such circumstances into consideration, the UN Secretary-General proposed six climate-positive actions. These were proposed so that the governments could rebuild their economies while maintaining the environment.
These include, Green Transition i.e. investments must accelerate the decarbonization of all aspects. Secondly, green jobs and sustainable as well as inclusive growth should be promoted.
Moreover, a green economy that makes societies more resilient should be accessible to all. In addition, investment in sustainable solutions should be done.
Consequently, all climate risks should be countered. Lastly, cooperation is significant, as with the world being a Global Village today no state can succeed alone.
Senegal and Climate Change
Climate change affects certain regions more than others. Senegal is an agricultural and industrial economy. Its agriculture sector houses 70 percent of the country’s workforce.
However, 40 percent of Senegal’s population depends on fishing for a livelihood and as the main source of food.
With so much dependency on agriculture, Senegal has high climate change risks. Much like its neighbors in West Africa, Senegal was hit by the worst droughts in the late 1960s.
Since then, agricultural production has decreased, livestock mortality has increased and the forests are rapidly disappearing.
Immediate and effective action is required as authorities warn of the drastic changes in the natural ecology which are fueled by climate change. Therefore, Senegal has been participating in such meetings working with the UN to better deal with climate issues.
