National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia / Activities / Activity details
3 December 2021 The National Assembly Speaker addresses the participants of the public hearing
Friday, 3 December 2021
National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic at Public Hearing on Implementation of United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP26 Agreement in Serbia
The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic spoke at the public hearing on: “Implementation of the United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP26 Agreement in Serbia”, organized by the Environmental Protection Committee.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH OF THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Respected colleagues,
Dear guests,
I would like to thank the Environmental Protection Committee for organising this public hearing so quickly after the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. This is an excellent example of a good reaction to the Summit’s key messages, because everything said there insists on speed in the implementation of the agreed measures, because nature will not wait for us to agree and start working.
Since I myself took part in the Climate Conference, the debate of speakers of parliament organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, I consider it my duty to inform you about the key messages and the impressions of this great conference in general. I think that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, gave an excellent recap of the Conference’s conclusions and achievements, saying that a kind of compromise had been reached, which reflects all the interests, conditions, contradictions and political will in the world today. So, there is room for both optimists and pessimists, but more than anything, it is important that the fight against climate change has become the number one topic in today's world, not only at international conferences, but as the most important part of national policies which has been a long-standing goal.
As for the Republic of Serbia, it is active in this fight not only on the international scene, as was the case at the Glasgow Conference, where President Vucic also spoke, but in our national framework as well. We consider this as an obligation to ourselves and to our future generations, as well as an obligation to others, the people around us who fight for the same common goal.
Perhaps Serbia's contribution to global climate change is not great, but it does exist. Our economy has been following a trajectory of powerful growth for a long time, meaning our energy needs are growing and with them the risk of pollution. That is why we have for many years been promoting energy transition and increasing the capacities for the production of energy from renewable sources.
This year, Serbia has made major strides in contributing to global efforts, primarily through the adoption of the Law on Climate Change and a set of four energy laws. The National Assembly will continue to work on improving the regulatory framework and implementing the green agenda in Serbia.
The successful operation of the Green Parliamentary Group has for many years contributed to raising awareness on the importance of environmental issues - both among the MPs and the public. I am especially glad that, following the National Assembly’s good example, both the Provincial and Local Assemblies have set up their networks of their own and got involved in resolving these important issues.
The parliamentary meeting in Glasgow, held as part of the Global Climate Conference, was an opportunity for the National Assembly to get acquainted with the ways in which parliaments around the world are involved in the fight to stop climate change. Over 200 parliamentarians from all over the world committed themselves to urgent action to prevent further rise in temperature. It was especially emphasised that parliaments, with their legislative, oversight, budgetary and representative functions, are key to ensuring the implementation of the goals defined by the Paris Agreement and other international documents. Only parliaments can vouchsafe the implementation of international obligations and guidelines in national regulations and bring about real effects.
Dear colleagues, let me thank you once again for your engagement on this very important topic. I am convinced that we will maintain the good dynamics of climate protection activities, which today's public hearing definitely contributes to. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the UNDP and the Government of Switzerland for helped organise our meeting today, as well as the participation of the National Assembly’s delegation at the Conference in Glasgow.
Thank you!"
"Respected colleagues,
Dear guests,
I would like to thank the Environmental Protection Committee for organising this public hearing so quickly after the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. This is an excellent example of a good reaction to the Summit’s key messages, because everything said there insists on speed in the implementation of the agreed measures, because nature will not wait for us to agree and start working.
Since I myself took part in the Climate Conference, the debate of speakers of parliament organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, I consider it my duty to inform you about the key messages and the impressions of this great conference in general. I think that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, gave an excellent recap of the Conference’s conclusions and achievements, saying that a kind of compromise had been reached, which reflects all the interests, conditions, contradictions and political will in the world today. So, there is room for both optimists and pessimists, but more than anything, it is important that the fight against climate change has become the number one topic in today's world, not only at international conferences, but as the most important part of national policies which has been a long-standing goal.
As for the Republic of Serbia, it is active in this fight not only on the international scene, as was the case at the Glasgow Conference, where President Vucic also spoke, but in our national framework as well. We consider this as an obligation to ourselves and to our future generations, as well as an obligation to others, the people around us who fight for the same common goal.
Perhaps Serbia's contribution to global climate change is not great, but it does exist. Our economy has been following a trajectory of powerful growth for a long time, meaning our energy needs are growing and with them the risk of pollution. That is why we have for many years been promoting energy transition and increasing the capacities for the production of energy from renewable sources.
This year, Serbia has made major strides in contributing to global efforts, primarily through the adoption of the Law on Climate Change and a set of four energy laws. The National Assembly will continue to work on improving the regulatory framework and implementing the green agenda in Serbia.
The successful operation of the Green Parliamentary Group has for many years contributed to raising awareness on the importance of environmental issues - both among the MPs and the public. I am especially glad that, following the National Assembly’s good example, both the Provincial and Local Assemblies have set up their networks of their own and got involved in resolving these important issues.
The parliamentary meeting in Glasgow, held as part of the Global Climate Conference, was an opportunity for the National Assembly to get acquainted with the ways in which parliaments around the world are involved in the fight to stop climate change. Over 200 parliamentarians from all over the world committed themselves to urgent action to prevent further rise in temperature. It was especially emphasised that parliaments, with their legislative, oversight, budgetary and representative functions, are key to ensuring the implementation of the goals defined by the Paris Agreement and other international documents. Only parliaments can vouchsafe the implementation of international obligations and guidelines in national regulations and bring about real effects.
Dear colleagues, let me thank you once again for your engagement on this very important topic. I am convinced that we will maintain the good dynamics of climate protection activities, which today's public hearing definitely contributes to. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the UNDP and the Government of Switzerland for helped organise our meeting today, as well as the participation of the National Assembly’s delegation at the Conference in Glasgow.
Thank you!"
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