International Day of Forests and Launch of the AFR100 Initiative

I am honoured to represent the United Nations system in Zambia at this commemoration of the International Day of Forests being held under the theme “Forests and Health”. I also note that this event marks the launch of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative.

Our lives are connected to forests in more ways than we ever imagine. Humanity seems to take forests for granted with little or no regard to the immense benefits that we get from forests.  Our forests are connected to even the most basic things that we do such as taking a glass of water, the books that we use everyday, the medicine on which we depend to get relief from illnesses or even materials that we use in construction on homes. What would we do without forests?

Forest have enormous benefits for our health and livelihoods and contain some of the most-needed natural resources to which we add value to earn wealth. Even as we talk about sustainable development, the future of generations to come depend on forests.

Guest of Honour, Ladies and gentlemen

In line with the theme for 2023 which is "Forests and health,” it is not subject to debate that much of our health comes from forests. The clean water that we drink, the fresh and clean air that we breath -- of course when no one is burning bushes – to the food and medicines that we take, all depend on forests. Forests are critical to our good health and wellbeing. The theme calls for giving, not just taking. When we grow trees or maintain forests, we are only doing ourselves a favour because healthy forests mean healthy people.

It is, therefore, sad to note that the world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year due to deforestation. Zambia has not been spared as the country is losing hundreds of thousands of forest cover every year due to indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal, farming and other uses. It is time for all of us to say enough is enough. Let us save forests and look beyond the excuses for which trees are cut. Let us work together and find alternative livelihoods so that forests are left to thrive and regenerate for our own health and a healthy ecosystem.

As we respond to the effects of Climate Change, let us remember that with 13 billion tonnes of carbon being in trees and the soil, caring for our forests is one of the most effective ways to address the climate crisis. Forests are invaluable in protecting people and the planet towards a sustainable future.

Cutting down forests also has a direct impact on climate change whose effects include floods and droughts. We do not need to look far to see how people have been affected and their livelihoods erased overnight by natural calamities.

Speaking yesterday at the Press Conference to launch the Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres noted that humanity is on thin ice – and that ice is melting fast.

The Secretary General said that humans are responsible for virtually all global heating over the last 200 years. Let me quote his words and clarion call for all countries.

I quote:

“Every country must be part of the solution. Demanding others move first only ensures humanity comes last. The Acceleration Agenda calls for a number of other actions. Specifically: No new coal and the phasing out of coal by 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 in all other countries. Ending all international public and private funding of coal. Ensuring net zero electricity generation by 2035 for all developed countries and 2040 for the rest of the world.”

End of quote:

Guest of Honour, Ladies and gentlemen

Let me conclude by underscoring the commitment of the UN system in supporting the Zambia’s development in line with the aspirations of the Government and people of Zambia as contained in the Eight National Development Plan (8NDP). UN support will from this year until 2027 be delivered through the Zambia-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework that will provide interventions across four pillars, namely Prosperity, People, Peace and Planet which align to the four strategic Priority Areas of the 8NDP.

Our commitment is clear and our resolve is firm that we will walk with Zambia every step of the way including working through relevant UN agencies, Funds and Programmes in ensuring that we preserve our forests.

With these few remarks, I wish us all a fruitful commemoration.

I THANK YOU.