Windhoek — The world needs to explore innovative new approaches, based on science, on how to better prepare for the effects of climate change and its impact on the globe. Therefore, in striving for economic development and growth, it is imperative to strike a good balance between economic growth on the one hand and sustainable development on the other.

With this solid advice, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa, yesterday morning welcomed representatives of six countries, including Namibia, at the inaugural board meeting of the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) in Windhoek.

Mutorwa told the delegations from Germany, Botswana, Angola, South Africa, Zambia and Namibia that in Southern Africa it is recognised that there is a need for a strong leadership and diligent execution of good plans for the region in order to effectively deal with issues related to sustainable development and to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

"We also recognise the fact that it is not possible to completely avert natural disasters, but the possibility esists for us to learn how to deal with them more smartly in order to reduce their effect on our people. We further acknowledge the fact that we can learn from each other on how to become smarter in coping with the challenges of sustainable development and coping with disasters. It is for this reason that the ministers from the five partner countries of Southern Africa and Germany decided to participate in the SASSCAL initiative, "he said.

Mutorwa said when designing and planning such programmes and projects, "we need to constantly ask ourselves how do we use the natural resources at our disposal more efficiently without increasing the risk of natural disasters".

The minister said the outcome of yesterday's meeting will set the stage for the second phase of the implementation of SASSCAL activities. Germany will fund the project for the next five years, and Mutorwa expressed his gratitude for this gesture of financial support.

He urged the five partner countries of SADC, Namibia included, to finalise the formula for their contributions to SASSCAL. "This will enable partner countries to make budgetary provisions, and honour their financial responsibilities towards the implementation of the activities of SASSCAL."

He stressed that climate change is something real, and reminded the audience that Namibia is right now in the grip of a devastating drought. "I am pleased to see the progress that has been made in just over a year since the joint declaration on the establishment of SASSCAL was signed by the five partner countries in Windhoek. I have been advised that the formulation of research projects for this initiative has been finalised, and that the contracts are in the process of being signed among the partner institutions," Mutorwa said.