Tunisia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a major commitment to address climate change and protect the agricultural sector, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries Abdelmonem Belaati said on Thursday.
There is need to raise the necessary funding and harness technical resources for the implementation of Tunisia’s updated NDC projects at a critical juncture of global food and water insecurity, the minister told attendees of the International Investment Conference for the implementation of Tunisia’s NDC which opened Thursday as part of the NDC Partnership in Gammarth, Tunis northern suburbs.
“Agriculture remains a vital sector in Tunisia,” Belaati said. It contributes 7% to the GDP against 40% and 50% previously.
The sector is facing two major challenges: better performance of the sector’s value chains, farms and agricultural enterprises to increase
Tunisia’s food security and the sustainable management of natural resources while involving producers amid climate change thregagats.”
Food security – a strategic challenge for Tunisia – is becoming more acute in a context of increasingly volatile food and energy prices, energy-intensive crops and increased environmental vulnerability.
Under the NDCs, Belaati said, measures were taken to improve energy efficiency and reduce agricultural sector emissions while increasing productivity and crop resilience. The NDCs encourage the use of renewables.
The main issues and priorities of the NDCs are coherent with the 2050 water strategy and its action plan which have been finalised recently. They require huge funding to avoid water stress that threatens the country due to climate change.
Without a shared vision for sustainable development and food security challenges and stepped-up solidarity and cooperation, the official said, achievements will fall short of aspirations of citizens.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse