Youth Call for SADC Climate Policies Ahead of Regional Summit
The 44th SADC summit is set to take place in Zimbabwe, where the country will assume the chairmanship of the regional bloc.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Youth activists from three southern African countries are urging regional leaders to develop policies that combat climate change and environmental degradation ahead of the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, writes Abraham Bisayi.
Over 200 young people from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia gathered Saturday at Lake Malawi Anglican University for a climate change dialogue organized by the Malawi Creation Care Network (MCCN).
Yamikani Chiphazi, MCCN Lead Ambassador, expressed concern about foreign companies promoting environmentally harmful practices.
"As young people, we are concerned with the operations of other foreign companies who are promoting the use of thin plastics like the case of Malawi affecting our own environment," Chiphazi said. "Hence we call for new regional policies to stop these companies."
The youth pledged support for Malawi's ban on thin plastics and vowed to oppose companies that have obtained court injunctions against the ban.
Taurai Kandishaya, a participant from Zimbabwe, emphasized the need for policies benefiting African nations rather than foreign interests focused solely on profit.
"We will join Malawians in this fight by extending the message to our president who will resume the SADC chairmanship on the need of coming up with policies to help Africans enjoy the benefits of their own countries," Kandishaya said.
Edgar Silwimba from Zambia praised the initiative, stating it would help advocate for change and create lasting solutions for the SADC region.
The dialogue, themed "Building Resilience: Youth Engagement, Adaptation and Innovation in the Face of Climate Change within SADC Region," aimed to consolidate youth voices and strategies to enhance youth participation in climate action.
The 44th SADC summit is set to take place in Zimbabwe, where the country will assume the chairmanship of the regional bloc.