MAKAMU WA RAIS DKT. BILAL AFUNGUA MKUTANO WA KIMATAIFA WA MABADILIKO YA TABIANCHI, CHANGAMOTO ZA MAENDELEO NA UKUAJI WA MIJI BARANI AFRIKA, JIJINI ARUSHA LEO

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akisoma hotuba yake ya ufunguzi wa Mkutano wa Kimataifa kuhusu mabadiliko ya Tabianchi, Chanagamoto za Maendeleo na ukuaji wa Miji Barani Afrika. Mkutano huo umefunguliwa leo Julai 24, 2013 Jijini Arusha. Picha na OMR

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akipokea zawadi ya Jarida la Sayansi, kutoka kwa Mkurugenzi wa Sayansi ‘Physical Sciences’ (COSTECH) Prof. Clavery Tungaraza, baada ya Makamu kufungua rasmi mkutano huo uliofanyika kwenye Hoteli ya Mount Meru, Jijini Arusha leo Julai 24, 2013. Picha na OMR
Makamu mkuu wa chuo kikuu cha Dar es salaam, Profesa Rwekaza Mukangara, akizungumza kabla ya kumkaribisha Makamu wa Rais kufungua mkutano huo

Baadhi ya washiriki wa mkutano huo wakimsikiliza Makamu wa Rais wakati akisoma hotuba yake ya ufunguzi. Picha na OMR
Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na na baadhi ya washiriki wa mkutano huo baada ya ufunguzi rasmi. Picha na OMR

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SPEECH BY H.E DR. MOHAMMED GHARIB BILAL, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHALLENGES OF URBANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE HELD AT MOUNT MERU HOTEL IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA, 24TH TO 26TH JULY 2013

Honorable Ministers;

Arusha Regional Commissioner, Hon. Magessa Mulongo;

Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof. Rwekaza Mukandala;

Distinguished Delegates;

Invited Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the Management of the University of Dar es Salaam on behalf of the organizers for inviting me to officiate at this very important International Conference on Challenges of Urbanization and Development in Africa in the Context of Climate Change.  This is a great honour to me particularly given the fact the theme of the Conference closely reflects on the key mission of my office.

It is my pleasure to stand here today and echo my voice on one of the most important developments on the African continent, that is, urbanization in a changing climate, the theme of the conference. As you deliberate on the challenges of urbanization, it is also important that you explore the opportunities that accompany such challenges. I say this because Chapter 7 of Agenda 21 clearly states “… urbanization, if properly managed, offers unique opportunities…that are economically and environmentally sound.”

Distinguished Participants;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The challenges of urbanization are not new. Way back in 1976, the Habitat Conference in its plan of action stated: “… expected population growth and migration mean that urban expansion will be the most common and universal development challenge. Again, at the Habitat II Conference in 1996, the international community underscored in the Habitat Agenda the need for new approaches to planning and managing rapid urban growth and human settlements in developing countries.

These and other debates led to the emergence of the notion of sustainable urbanization, currently referred to as sustainable cities, which takes into account climate change challenges and associated interventions. I have been informed that sustainable cities will be discussed during the next three days of this conference.

Distinguished Participants;

Since the Habitat II Conference in 1996 the debate and discourse of urbanization have undergone tremendous transformation. In spite of that, the challenges remain complex and daunting, and require continuous engagement and efforts at all levels. May I emphasize and restate that sustainable urban development is a precondition for sustainable development. I believe it is in this spirit that this conference was organized and the reason we are gathered here in Arusha for three days.

Distinguished Participants;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

As many of experts in this Conference know, climate change compounded sustainable urbanization and made it a matter of urgency for stakeholders of development. Climate change is now recognized as one of the most pressing global issues confronting humanity.  It is therefore not coincidental that climate change has become a leading international development issue simultaneously with phenomenon urbanization especially in developing countries.

The way we plan, manage, operate and consume energy in our cities will have a critical role in our quest to reverse climate change challenges and its impact at the city level. It is estimated that 75 percent of commercial energy is consumed in urban and peri-urban areas. In addition, 80 percent of all waste is generated by cities and 60 percent of green gas emission which causes global warming emanate from cities.

Climate change is increasingly becoming a reality today. We are witnessing more frequent droughts and floods causing heavy impact on food security, energy, and water supply. These are practically constant occurrences in many, if not all African cities. Indeed, the most affected today, and in the future, will be the world’s urban poor-particularly those living in slums and unplanned settlements. For them, the climate change challenges are already out of control and, perhaps equally important, out of comprehension.

I do not want to be the prophet of doom. I strongly believe that societies in cities, African cities in particular, can adapt to the impact of climate change if there is a will. This can be achieved through effective guidelines and regulations for urban management, planning, and land use controls that can prevent people from building in zones that are at risks of flooding and landslides. However, and to date, the measures we envisage at the global and national levels have yet to be accompanied by concerted measures at the city and local levels. I also wish to emphasize that behavioral change is often overlooked in climate change adaptation discourse. However, given the magnitude of the climate change challenges, societies ought to change from the business as usual approaches to practices that will enhance resilience to climate change impact.

We all know that we cannot disconnect climate change adaptation from the need for local development in terms of housing, urban infrastructure and services. Our cities are, after all, the driving force of our economies, and what better measures can we take to reduce our ecological footprint in order to guarantee better lives for the current and future generation? We therefore need to take immediate actions to make our cities more sustainable by revisiting our land-use plans, our transport modalities, and our building designs at all levels.

Distinguished Participants;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Let me conclude by stressing the fact that the challenges facing cities are numerous and daunting.  It is practically impossible for any entity, public or private, governmental or non-governmental, academic or vocational, to face these challenges alone. The need for a global, concerted and systematic approach is long overdue. A sustainable city must be a learning city which is continuously exploring and innovating, sharing and networking. I welcome all those who are committed to turning ideas into action to join hands in the quest for building more sustainable cities under the changing climate.

Distinguished Participants,

Invited Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

After saying these few words it is now my singular pleasure to declare this International Conference on Challenges of Urbanization and Development in Africa in the Context of Climate Change officially opened.

I wish you all a most successful Conference and I thank you for your kind attention.