Mosotho youth to represent Africa at COP29

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU In a ground-breaking achievement, Theletsa Mpholle, a 31-year-old Mosotho, has been selected to join an elite group of six young climate change negotiators.  Mpholle, alongside youth from Algeria, Mauritania, Namibia, and the Seychelles, was chosen by the African Union Commission (AUC) to represent Africa at the prestigious COP29 summit, set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024.

This marks the first cohort of Young Professional Climate Change Negotiators, an initiative aimed at empowering Africa’s future leaders to advocate for the continent’s pressing environmental concerns on the global stage. Mpholle, currently serving as a Project Co-ordinator at the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS), specialises in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance.

His selection follows a rigorous and highly competitive process where candidates demonstrated not only a profound understanding of climate issues but also a strong commitment to advancing Africa’s interests in the global climate change dialogue. In an interview with Public Eye this week, Mpholle expressed his excitement and determination to use this opportunity as a catalyst for change in both Lesotho and Africa.

“This selection is not just an individual honour. It is a responsibility to represent Lesotho, Southern Africa, and the entire African continent. The chance to be the voice for over two billion Africans on matters as critical as climate change is a challenge I embrace wholeheartedly.”

Mpholle envisions the skills and insights he will gain from COP29 as essential tools for Lesotho’s sustainable development. “Through international negotiations, policy development, and climate diplomacy, I aim to enhance Lesotho’s position in the global fight against climate change,” he said.  “By advocating for climate-resilient policies, clean energy access, and the protection of our natural environment, I believe we can build a future where our communities thrive in harmony with nature.”

He emphasised that this moment is not just about representing Lesotho at a global summit but is part of a larger mission to drive sustainable change at home. “I envision a Lesotho where communities are resilient to the impacts of climate change, have access to clean energy, and sustainable livelihoods are the norm,” he added.

“This platform will allow me to push for policies that safeguard our environment for future generations while ensuring that the needs of African countries are not side-lined in global negotiations.” The significance of the selection has not gone unnoticed by Lesotho’s leadership. Ntšiuoa Sekete, the Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the AUC, who lauded Mpholle’s achievement, calling it a beacon of inspiration for the nation’s youth.

“Mpholle’s selection should serve as a motivation for young Basotho to engage with the numerous programmes offered by the AU, including the AU Internship and Youth Volunteer Corps,” Sekete said. She highlighted the importance of proactive participation, encouraging Basotho youth to seize such opportunities that offer a platform for growth and development.

Lesotho has already made strides in climate action. Earlier this year, the nation was one of only seven African states selected to participate in the Transformative Climate Finance Programme, a key initiative under the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan (AU-GRAP).

The programme is designed to foster green initiatives across the continent, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing environmental protection, and building resilience to the adverse effects of climate change. With COP29 fast approaching, the stakes have never been higher. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference, scheduled for November 11–22, 2024, in Azerbaijan, will bring together global leaders, climate experts, and activists to address the urgent need for enhanced climate action.

At the heart of these discussions will be the goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C, a critical threshold scientists agree is necessary to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change.

The agenda for COP29 includes various high-level meetings, such as the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties, which will serve as a platform to push for stronger national commitments to climate action. There will also be discussions on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance, an essential factor in ensuring that developing nations like Lesotho can access the resources needed to tackle climate-related challenges.

The enhanced transparency framework will also be finalised, setting the stage for more accountability and action in the global climate effort. For Mpholle, COP29 represents a pivotal moment not only in his career but in Lesotho’s journey toward a sustainable future. His participation is poised to amplify the voice of small nations in Africa, ensuring that their unique challenges and needs are addressed in the international climate arena.

“This is more than just attending a conference. It is about ensuring that Africa’s interests are prioritized in the global effort to fight climate change. We must push for a future where Africa is not merely a victim of climate change but a leader in the global transition to sustainability,” Mpholle said.