Govt injects P2.4m in NAP Global Expo 2022
Botswana is hosting the seventh edition of the National Adaptation Plans ( NAP) Global Expo 2022. Botswana, which is the first Southern African country to host the Expo was initially set to host the event in 2020 but cancelled due to the Covid- 19 pandemic. Close to 600 delegates ranging from scientists, parties and non- party stakeholder’s international delegations from different countries, leaders and policy makers, as well as national and international exhibitors are expected to attend the event. Taking place on August 22nd- 26th at the GICC, under the theme: Transformations in Advancing formulation and implementation of NAPs, the total cost of the Expo is P3.1 million with government contributing P2.4 million. During the weeklong event, highlights will include plenary and thematic sessions, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, as well as networking opportunities. The outcomes of the Expo are expected to serve as a basis for preparing Botswana position at the upcoming COP27 to be held in Egypt from the 7th to 17th of November. The annual event is organised by Least Developed Countries Expert Group under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in collaboration with various bodies, and organisations to promote exchange of experiences and foster partnerships between a wide range of actors and stakeholders on how to advance NAPs. Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday this week, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Philda Kereng said the Expo brings together leaders and policy makers and representatives from climate change financial mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations organisations, scientists and practitioners to mention a few. She said that the objective of the NAP Expo is to update stakeholders on the latest guidance on the technical and financial aspects to advance the formulation and implementation of NAPs. Secondly, the expo will give participants and stakeholders a platform to discuss country experiences, best practices, lessons learned, gaps, and needs and information on support provided and received in relation to the process to formulate and implement NAPs. “It will offer a platform for countries to interact with the GCF and others providing support for NAPs, as a means to improve access to financing NAPs,” she explained. There are a number of benefits that come with hosting an event of this magnitude. For starters, the Expo will place Botswana as a key player willing to join global efforts to address climate change. It will support government initiatives of promoting conference tourism MICE ( Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions). “During the expo, hotel occupancy will increase and so will the funds that will be left behind and injected into the domestic economy,” Kereng said. The event will give Botswana free advertisement on all United Nations and related organisations which would otherwise have come at a huge cost. And lastly, Batswana will interact with climate change experts through the sharing of experiences, and knowledge exchange on how to best deal with climate change, she explained. Meanwhile, painting a picture of the impact of Climate Change in Botswana, Kereng explained that Botswana is facing long periods of droughts, changes in weather seasons which affect agriculture and food production, and increased evidence of disasters such as wildfires and floods. She said the country is currently facing high incidences of wildfires throughout the country. “These fires affect both agricultural production and tourism. The Ministry is working with stakeholders to deal with the fires and encourages all support and assistance in the prevention of these fires,” she said. The Global NAP Expo was first held in 2013, with the first four Expos all held in Bonn, Germany in 2013 - 2016. In 2017, Uganda became the second country, and the first African country to host the expo, followed by Egypt in 2018, and Korea in 2019.