Kagame who is also the Chairperson of African Union (AU) was speaking Saturday at the outreach session held in Charlevoix, Quebec as part of the two-day G7 summit that has been taking place in Canada.
The Head of State who was speaking on ‘climate change and the importance of ending plastic pollution’ said that the role of oceans in regulating climate change has been severely affected and the human factor, among others, continues to contribute to the situation.
He said that the verse needs global action.
“Among other consequences, we may see tens of millions of people on the move, in search of new homes. No country on Earth is unaffected. And none of us can act alone. We have delayed to take action, with the necessary urgency and scale, but we still have the time and ability to mitigate the damage and stop the worst scenarios,” he said.
On Rwanda’s experience, Kagame said that plastic bags were banned ten years ago and brought great benefits to national environment. He said that policy has also served to make citizens more aware of the importance of managing natural resources.
“When citizens understand what is at stake and how their behaviour can make a measurable difference, they become the most effective part of the solution. Involving and empowering citizens laid the groundwork to begin phasing out other single-use plastic products,” he said.
He reminded countries to involve private sector in finding practical solutions for climate change.
“Involving the private sector in finding practical solutions, not only reduces resistance to change, it also supports the creation of new jobs and revenue streams,” he said.
He said that due to Rwanda’s plastic ban, the bonus is a more pristine natural environment for Rwanda’s citizens, residents and tourists to enjoy.
“Repeated on a larger scale, this experience shows, that it is possible to eliminate the plastic pollution that is choking our oceans, degrading our soils and poisoning our food supply,” he added.
He said that the African Union recognizes the key role of the blue economy in the continent’s socioeconomic transformation and is committed to creating healthier oceans.
Speaking on the Paris agreement, Kagame said that the G7 together with partners gathered at the summit has the opportunity and the obligation to translate the political will into concrete action before it is too late.
Leave a Reply