By Ndatenda Njanike (Press and Communications Officer)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Acting Deputy Executive Director and Director of Corporate Services Ms. Sonja Leighton-Kone who landed on Monday in Zimbabwe toured from 06 to 11 February 2023 in what could be a relief for the triple planetary crisis in the nation.
In a circular released by the UN Environmental Program released early on the week of her visit included meeting President E.D. Mnangagwa; and other senior Government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry; Minister of Energy and Power Development; and Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.
“The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Acting Deputy Executive Director and Director of Corporate Services Ms. Sonja Leighton-Kone will visit Zimbabwe from 06 to 11 February 2023.
“During her visit, Ms. Leighton-Kone will meet with His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa; and other senior Government officials including Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry; Minister of Energy and Power Development; and Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and rural development.
“During her visit Ms Leighton will engage senior Government officials on environmental opportunities and challenges especially issues linked to triple planetary crisis of climate change, loss of nature and biodiversity, and waste and pollution. Her discussions with Government will include on strengthening collaboration with UNEP and marshaling practical solutions to the triple planetary crisis supported by UNEP as part the 2022-2026 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation.” Read the circular.
Like any other country Zimbabwe has been no exception from Climate Change as the country has faced ravaging droughts in the past 10 decades contributing to the global crisis.
Climate change is the long-term shifts in weather patterns due to natural and human activities but has been largely accelerated by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels which produce heat-trapping gasses.
