The Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will lead the Commonwealth delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to call for accelerated action on the climate crisis in light of intensifying threats to small and vulnerable member countries. 

Scheduled from 30 November to 12 December 2023, the annual summit comes just months after Commonwealth environment ministers committed to accelerating climate action at their inaugural meeting, held alongside the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. 

The Secretary-General, who will deliver at least 20 speeches across the summit, will urge negotiators to deliver a transformative outcome at the summit. 

This includes accelerating efforts to implement national climate plans mandated under the Paris Agreement, using the findings of the ‘global stocktake’ report to increase ambition and action, and delivering an inclusive, operational Loss and Damage Fund. 

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will officially open the Commonwealth Pavilion COP28, which will host about 40 events across the two weeks, demonstrating the Commonwealth’s ability to convene vital dialogues between governments, experts, businesses, youth leaders and civil society. 

She will also meet with leaders and ministers from Commonwealth member countries and across the international community, to advance progress on emissions, finance, adaptation, biodiversity, oceans, health, innovation and the green economy.  

‘No more delays’ 

Ahead of the summit, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said: 

“The worst predictions of climate change have become a daily reality. In the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable countries, fertile lands are turning to dust, wells are running dry, storms and floods are overwhelming communities, and the ocean is rising. 

“This represents not only a threat to the health, welfare and survival of millions of people, but to our collective stability and economic prospects. 

“Yet as climate change advances, the gap on emissions, finance and justice has widened, while the window for action continues to narrow. COP28 must close that gap. 

“Every day of delay makes life more dangerous, and makes climate action more complex, challenging and expensive. There can be no more delays, and no more excuses – this is the time for implementation.” 

“The health of us all and of our planet rests on a 1.5°C degree cap on global warming,” she added. “We cannot lose sight of that objective, and I implore leaders at COP28 to renew their determination to deliver a bright, resilient, sustainable common world – now and for generations to come.”  

During the summit, the Secretary-General will call for increased support for small and vulnerable states, highlighting that despite ambitious pledges, these countries are receiving limited funds to mitigate, adapt to and build resilience against the impacts of climate breakdown. 

She will also draw attention to the broader consequences of the climate crisis on economic growth, leading to high debt burdens, food insecurity, stressed resources, and impaired livelihoods for many of the 2.5 billion people living across the Commonwealth. 

Commonwealth response 

Secretary-General Scotland will inform delegates at COP28 about the Commonwealth’s programme, designed to assist its member countries – including 33 small states – in dealing with the challenges posed by the climate crisis. 

These include:

• the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has mobilised US $310 million in climate finance for 17 vulnerable Commonwealth countries, with an additional US $500 million in the pipeline;
• the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which is an agreement by all 56 member countries to actively co-operate to address shared ocean challenges;  

• the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter: A Call to Action, which commits Commonwealth countries to safeguard global land resources while taking coordinated action on climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable land management;  
• the Commonwealth Disaster Risk Finance Portal, which gives countries open, 24-hour hour access to key information on financing to better manage the impact of disasters; and 
• the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda, which seeks to fast-track an inclusive, just, and equitable transition to low-carbon energy systems across the group.  

In light of 2023 being designated as the Commonwealth Year of Youth, the Commonwealth delegation will also host a series of events focused on promoting youth-led action on challenges posed by climate change. Please see the full schedule here.

After 60 days of talks by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) drawn from Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalitions, their report recommended the creation of the Office of the Leader of Opposition.

It means that the leader of the largest party or coalition that garnered the second-highest number of votes in the presidential election assumes the office.

According to Kenya Kwanza’s bipartisan talks technical advisor Duncan Ojwang’, the ruling party was keen to have the office of the opposition leader created so as to have balanced politics and inclusivity in the country. 

“The leader of the opposition position was created so that rather than doing what they are doing on the streets, it is institutionalized so that they can protect people in parliament and through structured institutions,” said Ojwang’ on Spice FM.

Additionally, the leader of the opposition will create a shadow cabinet that Ojwang’ says will be effective in holding the executive accountable. 

Once the office is constitutionalized, the leaders will be allowed to join parliamentary meetings to share their views and objectives.

“The office of the leader of the opposition will now be able to check the executive. Yes, they will not be Members of Parliament but they will be able to come to parliament and talk about alternative budget, address the public and MPs among other roles,” he said.

According to Ojwang’ the leader of the opposition will have two deputies and will be fully facilitated so as to ensure they perform their duties as required. 

Other recommendations by NADCO include the entrenchment of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund.

They also recommended that all arms of government reduce their travel budgets by 50 per cent and that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission review daily subsistence allowances for state and public officers with a view to reducing them by 30 per cent among others. By Esther Nyambura, The Standard

KOCH – Concerns are mounting in Koch County, Unity State, as local health authorities spotlight a surge in deformities among children, pinpointing oil pollution stemming from exploration and extraction activities as the primary culprit.

Daniel Gatkuoth, Director of Koch County Hospital, voiced deep-seated concerns during an interview with Sudans Post on Monday, attributing the observed deformities in the community directly to oil pollution.

The hospital has documented 15 cases of deformities since 2019, all tragically resulting in fatalities, with seven females and eight males among the affected.

Gatkuoth stressed that all 15 cases were registered at Koch Hospital.

Despite appeals, Gatkuoth expressed disappointment that their requests for compensation from both the government and oil companies have yielded no tangible response or support.

He highlighted the persistent efforts made by the community in raising concerns with SPOC, the operating oil company in the area, regarding the lack of aid for those grappling with oil-related environmental issues.

“SPOC has been informed each time a case involving a deformed child is brought to the hospital, yet there has been no acknowledgment or compensation from them since 2019,” Gatkuoth elucidated.

Expressing frustration at the lack of action from authorities, Gatkuoth underscored the ongoing suffering within the community, encompassing fatalities, the proliferation of deformities among children, and even the demise of livestock.

“On behalf of the community, we implore the Ministry of Petroleum, the Council of States, and the Legislative Assembly to review existing laws and take decisive action to tackle this issue,” he urged.

Gatkuoth concluded with a poignant reflection on the original intent behind oil allocations, emphasizing the urgent need for these resources to benefit communities as intended, lest their mismanagement continue to pose significant concerns. - Sudans Post