WESSA is strongly engaging in the Climate Change space, as we seek to Educate, Advocate and Act on Climate Action. Last Saturday, the SA Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), WWF-SA and WESSA partnered to bring South African youth from all around the country together, to develop a call to our political leaders for climate change action and a just transition. Gathered at venues in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as a strong contingent of virtual participants, our youth discussed debated and developed a statement of recommendations for the South African government delegation to negotiate towards at COP27. Read the COP27 National Youth Statement handed to Minister for the Environment, Minister Barbara Crecy, on Monday.
SAIIA has generously shared a COP27 access pass with WESSA, allowing us entry to observe the 2nd week of the state negotiation sessions (Blue Zone) at COP27. We are honoured and excited to be representing our organisation, our members and citizens at this global meeting for climate action. WESSA did consider the human rights situation in Egypt in making this decision. WESSA’s Strategic Lead: Advocacy, Morgan Griffiths, has been tasked with representing us. Morgan has previously represented WESSA at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress, where he co-led a session on Human Capacity Development in the Biodiversity Sector. The primary objectives of WESSA attending COP27 are to gain experience and deeper understanding of the COP event and its processes; and networking in the climate action space. Morgan will also attend events in the Green Zone, where many civil society dialogues and advocacy engagements take place.