Phirl: COP27 our opportunity to appeal for mechanism, entire collaboration

Christabel Phirl, Executive Manager in Policy and Programmes at Southern Africa Trust, Johannesburg, asserted that enhancing equality and reducing poverty are the target of the organization, expressing high hopes that the United Nations Climate Change Convention in Egypt, Sharm el-Sheikh, will meet their pressing needs for resources, capacity and technology within the continent.

During an interview with Nile TV Senior Correspondent Taghreed Hussein on the sidelines of the COP27, she hailed Egypt as the host country and the voice of Africa which considers the convention as the African COP as an essential platform to urge the more developed countries to render assistance to the African countries for their wellbeing.

In the same context, she said that the COP27 gives an African opportunity of getting prepared hand-in-hand to eliminate devastation due to floods and extreme heat. Africa, of all its high potential, needs a transition point in all respects; renewable energy, industry and agriculture, she added, reiterating that fighting climate change is our target but many challenges hinder us.

Collaboration among the African countries is a prerequisite to move forward sustainable development goals, she reaffirmed, mentioning that finance also will help the continent make a quantum leap at all levels. It is high time that the political statements come into force for more concrete progress, she said.

Pertaining correlation between women’s empowerment and climate change, she said that women are the prime factor of the most activities in that regard and so she is the most vulnerable member who might result in fragility of the whole society if ignored. Women in Africa are in dire need for resources and programs of building capacity for more investment, she concluded.

The interview is conducted by Nile TV Senior Correspondent Taghreed Hussein, President of the channel.