afrol News, 28 January - Ahead of the 2009 United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 15) to be held in Copenhagen, the Danish government has revealed plans to tackle global climate change with African countries.

In this regard, the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Mrs Ulla Tomaes, will pay a five-day visit to Tanzania beginning on Thursday.

Her visit forms part of a thematic tour to gather ideas and discuss how African countries, including Tanzania can be better involved in the global cooperation to find solutions to the effects of climate change, Danish Embassy in Tanzania said.

She is due to hold discussions with Tanzanian authorities on climate and sustainable development challenges facing the East African country.

She will also visit areas affected by climate change, including an unplanned settlement in Dar es Salaam in Jangwani, a low lying and poorer area of the city which suffers from flooding, over housing and over use of wood burning fuels. Tomaes will visit drought prone areas in the Arusha region, including Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro as well as inspect

Danish funded development activities geared towards improving the capacity of local authorities to manage effects of climate change.

“It is important that African countries are closely involved in this work and Denmark is ready to assist African countries in preparing for international negotiations,” Mrs Tomaes said.

The minister's visit will "focus on supporting Tanzania's efforts to become better prepared regarding negotiation process as well as finding global solutions to the effects of climate change."

Denmark has provided support to programmes that address climate adaptation issues in Tanzania.

The overall goal of COP 15 is to establish an ambitious global climate agreement beginning on 2012. It will provide Denmark "a unique opportunity to influence the global agenda regarding climate change.

This is the final opportunity for the world's nations to agree on the enforcement of a new protocol after the expiration of the Kyoto protocol in 2009.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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