Posted in Press Release
East African Legislative Assembly, Geneva, Switzerland: 16th October, 2018: The 139th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly commenced in Geneva, Switzerland this week with over 1000 MPs and Parliamentary staff meeting to deliberate on issues under the umbrella theme of science, technology and innovation. EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin, addressed the congregation this morning (October 16th, 2018) urging legislators to harness the untapped value of technological innovations to build initiatives that abhor violence, enhance peace-building tools and support human security around the globe for positive societal impact.
Rt Hon Ngoga urged legislators to embrace technological innovation to maintain communication with their constituencies and to leverage liaison roles with governments and other stakeholders. While noting the detrimental effects of technology and innovation, the EALA Speaker remarked that it was similarly vital and a responsibility of Parliaments to regulate the industry.
“Today, technological revolution has enhanced communications and presents a phenomenal impact on the economy, society and environment since the days of mechanized production. It is equally recognized that technological revolution presents societal and economical challenges; resulting in loss of jobs occasioned by automation. Technological change further exacerbates inequalities due to the disproportion in certain segments of the populations, a characteristic that poses ramifications for peace and security – the very core of our deliberations here today”, Rt Hon Ngoga said.
“We are challenged to orient our legislative strategy towards tapping positive change aided by technological innovations”, he added.
The Speaker termed the costs of lack of peace and insecurity as critical.
“The Global Peace Index, 2018, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace “reveals a world where tensions, conflicts and crises remain largely unresolved resulting in a gradual, sustained fall in peacefulness”. In 2017, “the economic impact of violence on the global economy was pegged at US $14.76 Trillion in purchasing power parity terms; a figure equivalent to 12.4% of the world’s economic activity (Gross World Product) or USD 1,988 for every person’’, Rt Hon Ngoga remarked.
Rt Hon Ngoga implored legislators to pay attention to the availability, efficacy and affordability of ICTs and to shun the risk of elitism associated with technological innovations. Such is crucial to overcome perception and reduction of disengagement and further marginalization of constituents from the political processes guaranteed.
The Speaker called for a legislative framework enabling youth to comprehend and embrace technology without been prone to manipulation motives that hampers peace and security initiatives.
The Assembly is covering multiple subjects including fake news, sexism and harassment in Parliaments, human rights, disarmament, counter-terrorism, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and migration.
Gender equality in science and technology is one of the themes under discussion at the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians, a topical subject following the tripartite award of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Physics to Donna Strickland, only the third woman to have ever won the prize. MPs on the IPU Standing Committee on Peace and International Security are also discussing parliamentary action on disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation strategies for weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons and future weapon technologies.
Accompanying the Speaker are EALA Members, Hon Wanjiku Muhia, Hon Christopher Nduwayo, Hon Fancy Nkuhi Haji and senior Parliamentary staff.
The 139th IPU edition has also attracted over 50 Speakers of Parliament and 40 Deputy Speakers. Of the MPs in attendance, 20 per cent are young MPs under 45 years of age and 33 per cent are women.
Other EAC Speakers and Parliamentarians are also in attendance. Republic of Kenya is represented by the Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, while Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda leads her delegation. Rt Hon Anthony Lino Makana, Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of the Republic of South Sudan is also in attendance. Rt Hon Nyabenda Pascal, Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly leads his delegation while Rwanda is represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Gakuba Jean d’Arc.
The impact of technology on information, and the responsibility of Parliaments to regulate fake news, is also a subject of a panel discussion between MPs, journalists, and academics.
In addition, the Assembly is hosting a knowledge fair including exhibits by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
Posted in Press Release
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: 6thOctober, 2018: EALA is adding its voice to the debate on greening the environment. The regional Assembly now wants Partner States to make tree seedlings available to various communities to embark on massive tree planting campaigns and to conserve forests as it promotes policies that make the Community green. Consequently, the Assembly is callingfor the retrieval of the EAC Forests Management and Protection Bill 2015 for its re-consideration, which it hopes to amend and have (the Bill) assented to by the EAC Heads of State within the shortest time possible.
Hon Mathias Kasamba, mover of the Resolution urging Council of Ministers to conserve forests, raised concerns that forest areas within the EAC were under threat of deforestation and forest degradation. The Member raised concern of the imminent disappearance of forest.
“There is concern that if these practices (deforestation) continue, the Community will lose approximately 12 million hectares of forest by 2030”, Hon Kasamba told an attentive House.
The Assembly was informed that in order for the Community to protect the many benefits from forests and to ensure livelihoods for the people that live in and around forests, the Community needs to adopt programmes on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) “plus” conservation and the sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks and adopt programmes aimed at halting or preventing the destruction of forests.
The resolution which was seconded by Hon Dr Woda Jeremiah Odok, calls for the promotion and use of alternative technologies that minimize tree cutting especially for firewood and home consumption purposes. At the same time, the Assembly recognises that the EAC Climate Change Policy provides for several strategies which include promotion of sustainable management of forests and wetlands in the region, promoting reforestation, afforestation and improvement of agricultural productivity.
Hon Kasamba called for more action in conservation matters saying EAC had already lost 6 Million hectares of forest cover.
According to Hon Kasamba, in Uganda, a government report has revealed that the country’s forest cover has dropped to 9%, representing a 3%drop in just two years since 2015. United Republic of Tanzaniawith land area 945,687sq km is home to one of the largest trees’ cover in the world, but it is similarly at risk. A forest inventory by the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) in 2015, found that forests and wooded areas cover over 48 million hectares of land. On its part, Hon Kasamba saidKenya had lost a large portion of its forest cover over the years; it gained a substantive portion in the 10 years to 2015. The country had 4,413,000 hectares of forest land that year as compared to 4,047,000 hectares in 2005 in a report attributed to the Food and Agricultural Organization. The legislator maintained that Rwanda is one of the only countries in the world that has a positive rate of afforestation. Every year, more trees are planted and protected in Rwanda than cut down. This is no easy feat considering Rwanda’s population density and the economic pressure on the small land size.
By the end of 1994, forests had been eliminated from 78 % of the country and were decreasing at rate of 7% per year, according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the United Nations. The Government knew that without trees, the country could never fully rebuild itself, so it reversed this trend, planting millions each year. From 2015 to 2016, the Rwandan government planted 32 million seedlings, which is equivalent to the reforestation of 15,000 hectares. In 2017, Rwanda reached its target of 30% forest cover three years earlier than planned”, Hon Kasamba told the House.
With an estimated 33% forest cover in the country, South Sudan’s forests harbor globally significant biodiversity, provide a globally significant greenhouse gas sink, and provide numerous other goods and services to South Sudan’s growing population.However, South Sudan’s forests and their associated ecosystem goods and services are also under significant threat due to unsustainable activities such as illegal logging, unplanned and inefficient agricultural practices, and an unregulated charcoal industry, serving ever increasing demand in urban centers. In Burundi, the House was informed that deforestation is a major environmental concern in the country which is also the beginning of the problem of climate change.About 172000ha (6.7%) of the country constitute forests among which 33.3% (40,000ha) are classified as primary forests. According to FAO (2017) between 1990 and 2010 Burundi lost an average of 5850 hectares (2.02% of trees) per year. In total Burundi lost 117000 hectares (40.05%) of their forest over the course of twenty years, and the numbers are still drastically increasing.
Hon Kasamba remarked that it was necessary for the Bill to be brought back to the House if assent is withheld.
During debate, Hon Mohammed Mnyaa attributed unemployment as one of the many reasons fordeforestation. “Unemployed people continue to cut trees to make charcoal and to sell logs. I have been tasked before to provide employment by youth at a time I was advocating for them to halt deforestation”, he said. Hon Woda Odok said reforestation is key to mitigate climate change saying it helped also to reduce emissions of carbon. Hon Dr Odok congratulated Republic of Rwanda for its attempts to ensure forest preservation.
Hon Dr Oburu Oginga remarked that the region’s water towers were drying up due to the nature human conflict arising from many citizens grabbing land in forests and cutting trees. “This is a big problem given that some are acquiring title deeds and it thus becomes a challenge to recover when it becomes occupied as it tends to take a political angle,” the legislator said. Hon Dr Oginga said that Mau forest in Kenya was a source of many rivers including the Mau river- which he maintained, was on the verge of drying up. He further called for modalities of how the enacted legislation can become Acts should Partner States fail to assent to bill without reasons given.
Hon Susan Nakawuki urged Council of Ministers to ensure the Bill on forestry receives the due attention given the importance of the environment. She called for awareness creation on the impact of environmental degradation.The legislator further called on Members of the Community to consider the option of planting trees in addition to flowers. Hon Mary Mugyenyi said the Bill was too important and requested the mover of the resolution to retrieve the Bill that was not assented to and re-look at the issues.
Hon Francoise Umuwukiza called for preservation and purification of the environment for posterity. Forests are not only good in conserving water – but an attractive tourist and natural attraction
Others who supported the Motion were Hon Dr Ann Itto, Hon Gabriel Alaak,Hon George Odongo, Hon Jean Claude Barimuyabo, Hon Gideon Thoar, and Hon Kim Gai.
East Africa’s coastline is one of the most biologically diverse areas, offering a rich mosaic of coral reefs, mangroves, lowland forests and savanna woodlands and the Community is well endowed with forest resources which contribute significantly to carbon sequestration and support development of the Community.
In 2015, the Assembly passed the EAC Forests Management and Protection Bill, 2015 whose objective is to provide for the preservation, protection and sustainable use of forests.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
