The Speaker of the National Assembly yesterday chaired a seminar organised by the Pan-African Parliamentarians’ Network on Climate Change.

The Speaker of Cameroon’s National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguié Djibril, has exhorted Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to capitalise on the spin-offs of the Paris Climate Change Agreements by contributing to the wellbeing of the population. He was speaking at the House Chamber yesterday June 15, 2016, while opening a restitution seminar organised by the Pan-African Parliamentarians’ Network on Climate Change (PAPNCC), on the theme, “COP21: The spin-offs for the African continent in general and Cameroon in particular (Renewable energy)”.

The MPs, Rt. Honourable Cavaye stressed, must show example by planting at least a tree every year in their respective constituencies in an attempt to fight the devastating effects of Climate Change. The Speaker also reminded the people’s representatives of their role to inform and sensitise Cameroonians on the stakes and risks of climate change effects as well as what role each person has to play to combat the phenomenon.

The Executive President of the Pan-African Parliamentarians’ Network, Hon. Cyprian Awudu Mbaya, said the seminar was aimed at revisiting the achievements of the Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP21) that led to the Paris Climate Change Agreement with the aim of strengthening the global riposte to the threats of Climate Change within the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. Hon. Awudu Mbaya pointed out that it was now time for concrete actions towards reversing climate change effects and putting up a lasting framework for progress.

Also speaking during the seminar attended by some members of government and diplomats, the Minister of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, Pierre Hele, highlighted the fallouts inherent in the Paris Climate Change Agreement like financial funding opportunities (such as 2 billion Euro French financing of renewable energy projects). He challenged technical ministerial departments to come up with projects based on the 47 actions prescribed by the accord in order to enhance sustainable development and build resilience to the adverse effects of climate change.