The Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, also the Chairperson of the African Union, recently made waves at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which commenced on November 12, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. This annual climate summit, themed "Solidarity for a Green World", aims to address the urgent climate crises and develop strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, all the enquanto promoting international cooperation and aiding developing countries dealing with climate change challenges.
During his opening remarks, President Ghazouani highlighted the gravity of climate change and its dire effects, asserting, "the rise of the planet’s temperature threatens the continuity of human life and all forms of life. The urgency to tackle climate change is now more pressing than ever. It is our historic responsibility to act swiftly to remedy the situation before it is too late." His words served as both a wake-up call and rallying cry for leaders attending the conference.
Significantly, he underlined Mauritania's minuscule contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, which stands at just 0.02%. Despite this low percentage, the nation faces severe climate repercussions such as desertification and flooding, which threaten its social stability, food security, and economic growth. These challenges derail plans for long-term socio-economic development.
To navigate this storm, President Ghazouani recapped Mauritania's proactive stance, detailing the country's commitment to the Paris Agreement and its initiatives to combat desertification through projects like the Great Green Wall initiative. This ambitious program aims to create a wall of trees across the Sahel region to prevent desertification and enrich local ecosystems.
Alongside promoting renewable energy, Mauritania has made commendable strides toward sustainable practices, with Ghazouani noting, "Our renewable energy stock exceeds 4,000 gigawatts, and we are aiming to produce green hydrogen along with increasing the renewable energy share of our total energy consumption from 48% this year to 60% by 2030." This ambitious goal highlights Mauritania’s dedication to pivoting toward sustainable energy solutions.
Ghazouani didn’t just focus on national efforts; he called for international support for African countries facing the brunt of climate change. He emphasized the necessity for collective action, stressing, "The African continent is making significant efforts to reduce global warming, but we need more resources and cooperation from developed nations to fortify our adaptive capacity and resilience against climate change impacts."
His demand for swift international action was underscored by the recognition of the pressing needs of least developed countries like those across Africa. Ghazouani expressed hope for the outcomes of the COP29 conference to effectively reinforce commitments made at previous sessions and accelerate resource mobilization for climate action.
Reflecting on the importance of unity, he stated, "We must work together to strengthen cooperation and mobilize funds suitable for what is at stake, keeping the priorities of impoverished nations at the forefront of our strategies." This call for solidarity resonates beyond the conference halls, echoing the real-life struggles faced by millions as they contend with the everyday realities of climate change.
Post his speech, the Mauritanian pavilion was officially inaugurated at the COP29 venue, showcasing Mauritania’s climate initiatives and its resolve to lead by example within the international community. This pavilion aims to educate visitors about the African nation’s climate resilience programs and how it aspires to engage global partners to bolster its efforts.
At COP29, President Ghazouani's discourse reflects the growing imperative for nuanced dialogue about climate action, as it interlinks environmental sustainability with economic stability and social equity. The summit allows nations to put forth their unique challenges and innovations, fostering collaboration for collective progress.
His push for immediate action, coupled with ambition for sustainable practices, sets the tone for collaborative work at COP29, urging world leaders to forge pathways for lasting change. The urgency he spoke of goes beyond just words; it seeks to inspire concrete actions for the future.
Through dedicated efforts, Mauritania aims not just to survive, but also to thrive amid the climate crisis, standing as a beacon for other developing nations grappling with similar challenges. The COP29 conference marks another step on the long road toward equitable climate solutions but with leaders like Ghazouani at the helm, there is hope of uniting for efficient climate action.
