The Mauritian government has completed its national position for the upcoming Conference of the Parties 31 (COP31), which will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20. According to Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management, and Climate Change, Rajesh Bhagwan, the position was developed after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including the public and private sectors, civil society, youth, and the general public.
The consultations, which began on August 13, aimed to gather concerns and priorities from those directly affected by climate change. The minister emphasized that the voices of these individuals will be represented at COP31, focusing on loss and damage caused by climate change. The national position will serve as the basis for Bhagwan's interventions during plenary sessions and technical negotiations.
The Mauritian delegation, led by Minister Bhagwan, will comprise representatives from various ministries, including Environment, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Agriculture. The delegation will also include members of the private sector, such as Business Mauritius, and youth representatives. The private sector will participate in parallel events, showcasing Mauritian initiatives related to coastal rehabilitation, fishing, agriculture, and a just transition.
The consultations revealed concrete demands from various groups. Women requested incentives for solar panels and domestic water reservoirs, as well as increased support for local food production and disaster risk prevention. The youth called for better access to climate finance and nature-based solutions. Fishermen sought infrastructure to secure their boats and protect their homes from storm surges, and they also expressed interest in participating in coral reef restoration.
Coastal communities advocated for buffer zones to address sea-level rise and measures to address water scarcity. Farmers requested increased funding for agroecology and access to the Loss and Damage Fund, as well as the carbon market. These concerns will be presented at COP31, where Mauritius aims to emphasize the importance of addressing loss and damage caused by climate change.
In addition to the national position, Mauritius has participated in international climate change events, including the intersessional technical meeting in Bonn and the Climate Weeks in South Korea and Azerbaijan. This week, President Dharam Gokhool will lead the Mauritian delegation to the pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji, which will take place from October 5 to 8.
The Mauritian delegation's participation in COP31 aims to highlight the country's commitment to addressing climate change and its impacts. With a comprehensive national position and a multisectoral delegation, Mauritius is poised to effectively represent its interests and concerns at the international conference.
Key points
- The Mauritian government has completed its national position for COP31 after extensive consultations with various stakeholders.
- Minister Rajesh Bhagwan will lead the Mauritian delegation to COP31, focusing on loss and damage caused by climate change.
- The delegation will comprise representatives from various ministries, the private sector, and youth representatives.
