NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 11 – Kenyan MPs will on Tuesday join their African counterparts at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Gigiri to discuss best ways to handle the harsh environmental conditions brought by climate change.
President Mwai Kibaki is expected to officially open the conference dubbed Towards a Common Position on Climate Justice and Equity. Speaker Kenneth Marende and UNEP executive director Dr Achim Steiner are also expected to address the meeting.
"Fifteen countries including five speakers are expected to give their country position papers on climate change," a brief statement from the organisers said.
Consequently, the MPs are expected to develop a common position on matters relating to climate change ahead of an international conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.
Among issues to be deliberated on by the MPs, university dons and environmental experts include the role of lawmakers on climate change, legislative approaches, disputes and actions, economic impact of climate change and its implication on development.
The conference is also expected to rally African countries to demand for an equitable post in the 2012 Climate Change Agreement.
The lawmakers will show their commitment in conserving the environment by planting trees in Karura Forest. Five hectares has been set aside for the exercise.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga will close the conference on Wednesday.
The two-day conference has been organised by the Kenya National Assembly on behalf of the Pan African Parliamentarians Network on Climate Change and the Parliamentarians Network on Renewable Energy and Climate Change.
Other speakers are Prof Wangari Maathai, Swedish Ambassador to Kenya Ann Dismorr, Environment Minister John Michuki and Eldoret East MP Prof Margaret Kamar.
About The Author
