Africa-Press – Mauritius. As representatives of our nations, we bear the responsibility to foster sustainable practices and advocate for policies that protect our planet for future generations’.
This statement was made, today, by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Sooroojdev Phokeer, at the G20 Parliamentary Forum on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which opened at India International Convention and Expo Center (IICC), Yashobhoomi Dwarka, in New Delhi.
The Speaker of the National Assembly is, in fact, presently in India to participate in the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20), being held on 13 and 14 October 2023 at the IICC.
He is accompanied by the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms Urmeelah Devi Ramchurn. The P20 Summit is preceded by the Parliamentary Forum on LiFE.
The Forum is an initiative launched in October 2022 by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the UN Secretary General, Mr António Guterres in Kevadia, Gujarat.
In his address at the Forum, Mr Phokeer deplored that our lifestyles, marked by excessive consumption and waste, have led to environmental degradation, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity.
The consequences are felt worldwide, from extreme weather events to the displacement of communities due to rising sea levels, he said. The urgency of addressing these challenges cannot be overstated, and it requires a comprehensive and collaborative effort, he emphasised.
According to him, it is therefore crucial to adopt an environmentally friendly lifestyle for the well-being of our planet, and this holds true in the context of Mauritius as well. On that score, Mr Phokeer highlighted Mauritius’s commitment in strengthening its resilience to the climate crisis.
He recalled that the country has embarked on a low-emission pathway that targets the phasing out of coal in electricity generation before 2030, and likewise underpinned Mauritius’s pledge in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
Speaking about the G20 Parliamentary Forum, Mr Phokeer expressed belief that the Forum on ‘LiFE’ is a call for action as well as for legislative innovation, educational empowerment, and international collaboration.
He moreover commended this initiative of the Indian Government that encourages citizens to take simple steps that could contribute directly towards more sustainable lifestyles. G20 Parliamentary Forum on LiFE
The initiative recognises communities which practice environmentally conscious lifestyles as ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P-3), and seeks to leverage these practices to build a sustainable ecosystem based on the principle of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’.
G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit The Ninth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit aims to engage parliamentary leaders in an effort to build consensus on policy solutions related to key priority areas.
Highlighting the role of Parliaments in addressing complex global issues, the Summit will seek to demonstrate the collective resolve and solidarity of Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future.
The Summit will host four high-level sessions :(i) Agenda 2030 for SDGs: Showcasing Achievements, Accelerating Progress; (ii) Sustainable Energy Transitions: Gateways to a Green Future; (iii) Mainstreaming Gender Equality: From Women’s Empowerment to Women-Led Development; and (iv) Transformation in Peoples’ Lives through Public Digital Platforms.
These sessions will bring together the Speakers from G20 members and guest countries to deliberate on how Parliaments might effectively advance the P20’s objectives.
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