Latest news with #NarendSingh
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
G20 leaders urged to prioritise climate action
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has urgently called for global leaders to address climate action and provide the necessary support for mitigation and adaptation. Singh was speaking during the second Group of 20 (G20) Environment and Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, on Monday. 'I wish to reiterate what was said during the first G20 ECSWG meeting in March this year: we are less than five years away from our deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the end of this critical decade for climate action. 'Yet, we are still far from attaining these goals and action targets,' he said. According to the Deputy Minister, poverty levels are worsening, pollution from hazardous chemicals has been increasing, and greenhouse gas emissions reached record highs last year. 'This calls for an urgent acceleration of our efforts. Our commitment to achieve these goals must not waver, as we are all negatively affected. That is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the centre of our G20 Presidency.' South Africa's G20 Presidency has outlined an ambitious agenda for this Working Group following the successful convening of the inaugural virtual meeting earlier this year. Singh said the five interrelated priorities have now been expanded into six, with the splitting of the climate change and air quality priorities into separate areas of focus. 'This will provide us with an opportunity to delve into these two key issues more deeply and systematically.' During this five-day meeting, delegates from G20 member nations will focus on several key priorities. These include biodiversity and conservation; land degradation, desertification, drought; chemicals and waste management; air quality; oceans and coasts; and climate change, with a particular emphasis on Just Transitions. According to Singh, Just Transition encompasses energy transition, adaptation, resilience, loss and damage. 'This priority also includes a sub-priority on mitigation within the context of low-carbon economic development and other co-benefits beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.' Singh stated that the G20 process offers a chance to discuss and agree on actions that can expedite climate action and support at the necessary scale, as highlighted in the results of the first global stocktake. As a primary outcome of South Africa's G20 Presidency this year, the country will explore ways that the G20 can leverage opportunities to increase the scale and flows of climate finance. 'It is paramount for developing economy countries to be actively supported in their efforts to achieve 'whole of society and whole of economy' Just Transitions to sustainable development on the ground, through scaled access to low-cost finance, technology, capacity development, and skills transfer,' the Deputy Minister said. Singh believes that the blue economy approach can make a significant contribution to the livelihood of coastal communities around the globe, as well as addressing climate change. 'It's sustainable, long-term development should be promoted and enhanced through collective action at the level of the G20. 'It is also recognised that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to coastal and marine environments, affecting marine life, human health, and livelihoods, which needs to be addressed in an integrated and coordinated manner.' Singh announced that the final meetings of the Working Group and Ministerial sessions will be held from 13-15 October in Cape Town. During these meetings, the final versions of the technical papers and the draft of the Ministerial Declaration will be discussed. This will be followed by the G20 ECSWG Ministerial meeting scheduled for 16-17 October in Cape Town, where the Ministerial Declaration and other deliverables of the Working Group will be presented. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
3 days ago
- General
- IOL News
SA highlights urgent need for collective climate action at G20 environment meeting
Narend Singh, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, during a World Oceans Day event at Umkomaas North Beach on the South Coast, recently. He also interacted with fisherfolk and the community during the Sardine Run at the beach. Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has warned that the world is rapidly running out of time to meet critical sustainability and climate targets – and called for accelerated, coordinated global action. Speaking at the second G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, on Tuesday, Singh stressed the urgency of delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and broader climate objectives. 'We are less than five years away from our deadline to achieving the SDGs and the end of this critical decade for climate action,' he said. 'Yet we are still far from attaining these goals and action targets.' According to Sustainable Development Goals: Country Report 2023 prepared by Statistics South Africa, South Africa's progress towards meeting the SDGs is mixed. While the country has made strides in education, healthcare, water, sanitation, electricity, and gender equality, significant challenges remain, especially in addressing poverty and inequality, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mail & Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Somalia celebrates 65th Independence Day
Congrats: SA's Narend Singh, Ambassador Reyad Al-Akbari and Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali. On 3 July, the Embassy of Somalia commemorated its 65th anniversary of independence as well as the inauguration of the new chancery in Pretoria. Back in 1960, on 26 June, the Northern Region gained independence from British rule, and on 1 July of the same year, the Southern Region achieved independence from the Italian colonial administration, culminating in the birth of modern Somalia. Freedom is a cornerstone of Somalis' identity, enabling them to express themselves, pursue prosperity and uphold justice. Somalia's ambassador to South Africa, HE Mohamed Sheikh Issak, remarked on the long-standing relationship between Somalia and South Africa that dates back to the apartheid era. Formal diplomatic ties were established in 2012 and the embassy in Pretoria was inaugurated in 2013. A bilateral agreement was signed in September 2023 on general cooperation, paving the way for collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture and the ocean economy. HE Issak said: 'Let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties, fostering economic partnerships and promoting cultural exchanges between Somalia and South Africa.' The minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation of Somalia, HE Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who travelled a day earlier to officiate the opening ceremony of the new embassy, thanked South Africa for the warm hospitality and unwavering support of the Somali community. 'South Africa's commitment to regional stability and economic prosperity is commendable, and Somalia stands ready to deepen our engagement and expand our areas of collaboration.' He said that through its seat at the United Nations Security Council, Somalia is committed to representing African and Arab collective interests. These include advocating for peace, security and sustainable development, while ensuring that African and Arab voices are heard in addressing global problems. In closing HE Ali said: 'Thank you, South Africa, for your friendship. Thank you Somalia, for your courage. May our nations continue to build a future of shared prosperity and lasting peace.' South Africa's Deputy Minister Narend Singh, of the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment, congratulated Somalia on its Independence Day, stating that South Africa is proud of the cordial bilateral relations between the two nations. 'The Somali diaspora in South Africa has been a vibrant force across the country, contributing to this great nation's cultural and economic tapestry.' The deputy minister went on to say that South Africa remains concerned about the continuing violence and loss of life in Somalia. South Africa takes cognisance of the significant strides made by the African Union in terms of peace and security efforts in Somalia through various AU missions, he noted. 'We reiterate our view that lasting peace in Somalia can only be realised through negotiations,' he said. Deputy Minister Singh wished the government and people of Somalia a happy Independence Day, good health and prosperity.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Narend Singh discusses environmental challenges in South Africa
Narend Singh, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, during a World Oceans Day event at Umkomaas North Beach on the South Coast, on Sunday. He also interacted with fisherfolk and the community during the Sardine Run at the beach. Image: Supplied JUNE marks National Environment Month in South Africa, focusing on environmental awareness and action against plastic pollution. Narend Singh, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, discusses the pressing environmental issues facing the country, the initiatives in place to combat them and the role that society can play to make a difference. Q. What are the pressing issues impacting the environment? A. The impact of pollution on the marine environment is one of the issues. Chronic pollution such as domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste affect both estuaries and the ocean. Estuaries are vulnerable to the impacts of both chemical and solid wastes that enter the systems upstream which flow into the ocean. Effluent and chemical discharges from industries into our streams and rivers also eventually end up in the sea. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Q. What is a major pollutant of concern? A. Plastic pollution which washes from river systems onto beaches and has a significant impact on our coastal ecosystem services. Moreover, marine pollution is greatly exacerbated by activities such as ships dumping waste directly and illegally into the ocean and incidents where cargo is lost at sea. In terms of the discharge of wastewater, we regulate the discharge through the coastal waters discharge permit process. These permits provide effluent limits to protect the marine environment and require the permit holders to monitor the effluent before it enters the marine environment. Annual environmental monitoring is also required to be conducted by the permit holder to monitor the impact of the effluent on the receiving environment. Our environmental monitoring Inspectors also do regular environmental audits to monitor and assess if permit holders adhere to permit conditions. We have also demonstrated a proactive approach to plastic pollution through scientific studies on plastics and our outreach and awareness programmes. Q. What is the environmental concern in KwaZulu-Natal? A. Coastal erosion - which affects 60% of KwaZulu-Natal's coastline, with critical hotspots including Durban's beachfront, The Bluff area, and numerous communities along the south coast. The long-term impacts of unmanaged coastal erosion include land loss, damage to infrastructure and property, and disruption of ecosystems and human communities. These impacts can lead to significant economic, social, and environmental consequences. The department's Coastal Adaptation and Response Plan, which was launched on World Environment Day 2025, identifies this as a high-priority climate threat exacerbated by sea level rise, increased storm intensity, and inappropriate coastal development. Government is addressing coastal erosion through a combination of hard and soft engineering solutions and climate change adaptation initiatives. These efforts include beach nourishment, coastal protection structures, and integrating climate change considerations into development planning. Q. What is the department doing to address, eradicate or curb the environmental issues in the country? A. South Africa is leading the presidency for the G20 for 2025, with the theme being Fostering Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development which is underpinned by messaging around the need to foster global solidarity in several key areas including the environment and climate finance. One of the priorities under the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group is Oceans and Coasts with two sub-priorities being Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Plastics, focusing on the 7th Annual G20 marine plastics pollution report and Abandoned, Discarded and Lost Fishing Gear (ADLFG), to improve the understanding of plastic losses and leakage from "ghost fishing gear" and measures to address it. The department is also part of the project titled 'Mainstreaming Climate-Resilient Blue Economy in the BCLME (Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem) Region', and will be contributing to the component focused on the improvement of coastal and marine pollution management within the BCLME region, with a focus on plastic leakage into the marine environment. We recently completed a Source to Sea project in KwaZulu-Natal and directly employed 100 participants per coastal district (total of 500) for a period of six months. The participants were responsible for regularly cleaning of litter and waste along the identified rivers and streams and recorded the amount of litter collected. The environmental output of the project was the volume of litter prevented from entering our oceans and the number of areas cleaned per coastal district municipality. South Africa also participates in the International Coastal Clean-up Day event, making a significant contribution to the global beach litter database annually. Q. Are there any programmes at schools that address the importance of protecting the environment and our natural resources? A. One of our priorities is to heighten the awareness for communities including schools about the importance of environmental conservation, protection and management, land restoration and active participation in environment governance for achievement of the sustainable development goals and National Development Plan imperatives. The active participation of communities in environmental management can be achieved only if the department creates an enabling environment of a strengthened relationship between 'People and the Environment'. Hence, the department has made a strategic decision of upscaling and radically transforming its current public education and awareness programme. Q. Why is conservation and reducing our carbon footprint important? A. Conservation and the reduction of our carbon footprints are crucial for environmental sustainability and mitigating climate change. Conservation helps preserve resources, protect ecosystems, and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources, while reducing carbon footprints minimises greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations. Reducing carbon footprint helps slow down or reverse climate change, which has severe impacts on ecosystems, human health, and economies. Q. In our everyday lives, we may not realise that burning the garden refuse in the backyard, not recycling, throwing plastic into the ocean, over fishing and destroying natural habitat impacts the environment. What should communities be cognisant of, and why? A. Communities have a major role to play in managing waste into the coastal environment. They need to be cognisant of the fact that litter that is thrown into the environment along rivers, ends up in the river and ultimately in the ocean. These communities often rely on the coastal environment for subsistence fishing. They need to understand the link between their action of littering and not being responsible for the waste they generate and the impact it has on fish communities and in the long-term, possibly their health. Communities also need to be aware that their actions now can affect future generations, as plastics in particular, are not biodegradable. Each individual needs to have a sense of responsibility for the waste they generate and the sustainability of the environment that they rely on. Individuals can play a role in participating in beach clean ups in their communities which helps preserve the marine environment. They can collect and separate their waste and ensure that they are recycling or even taking their waste to buy-back centres where they will be compensated for it. THE POST
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Coastal Flavours Festival to illuminate KZN's seafood heritage
DIRECTOR of Coastal Flavours Seafood Festival Phindile Zulu with crates full of sardines at Umkomaas Beach during the launch of the festival. Image: Supplied THE KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is set to become a vibrant hub of activity next month as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) hosts the highly anticipated Coastal Flavours Seafood Festival. Taking place on the shores of St Michael's Beach in Margate, the one-day event on July 26, will celebrate KZN's seafood industry hot on the heels of the annual Sardine Run, promising an exciting day out for families. The festival will be officially launched by Deputy Minister Narend Singh, who will welcome attendees to this year's festivities. The lead-up to the festival has already begun with community build-up activities at eMkhomazi, where Singh was joined by festival coordinator and public relations specialist Phindile Zulu, along with local leaders. Together, they witnessed the Sardine Run make a spectacular entrance this week, surprising many with its scale and intensity along the coastline from Port Edward to Amanzimtoti. The natural spectacle has transformed the region into a true theatre of marine drama. Following the festival's guiding ethos, Zulu emphasised that, "Coastal Flavours aims to bring communities together around fishing, tourism, and job creation. By aligning with the Sardine Run, we celebrate our coastal heritage while driving sustainable livelihoods.' This sentiment echoes the DFFE's broader commitment to responsible fishing practices and economic growth through its 'Fishing for Freedom' campaign." "We are proud to endorse an event that honours our fishermen, engages families, and highlights the vital role of seafood in nutrition and coastal prosperity," said Singh. DEPUTY Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh at Umkomaas Beach on the South Coast during the sardine run last weekend where the Coastal Flavours Seafood Festival was launched. Image: Supplied This festival will not only be a celebration of seafood culture but also includes a family fun run and walk along the beach, allowing participants to choose between a challenging 10 km run or a leisurely 5 km walk. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with renowned chefs who will showcase sustainable harvesting techniques and educate on the health benefits of various fish species, including small but mighty sardines and other linefish. Food demonstrations and training sessions will also form a significant part of the proceedings, alongside a special kiddies cooking competition designed for children aged 8-12. Local vendors are encouraged to showcase their culinary and artisan goods, providing a platform for community entrepreneurship. The festival organisers promise to announce an exciting lineup of entertainment and DJ acts in the lead-up to the event, ensuring a lively atmosphere for all. With its focus on sustainability and community engagement, the Coastal Flavours Seafood Festival promises not only to entertain but to educate and uplift local economies, reaffirming the region's commitment to preserving its rich coastal heritage for generations to come. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
