THE BRICS Young Scientist Forum, currently taking place at the Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha, provides an important opportunity to help set a strategic science-driven agenda for the government.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk made this remark at a welcoming event for scientists from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
“Hosting you over the next couple of days will be a small contribution by our municipality towards our government’s visionary plans, as part of the BRICS mandate, to turn a new page towards climate resilience, technological innovation and the advancement of science.
“Our coalition government of local unity made a firm commitment from the first day in office to drive a pro-poor agenda.
“With the delivery of basic services at the centre of our operations, as it should be, we also decided to be accountable by mapping out broader strategies and implementation plans to build a sustainable and climate-resilient Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
“We have seen how unusual recent weather events happened across our land where floods led to the destruction of infrastructure and snow fell in areas, it never did before.
“The impact of changing weather patterns can be seen across the world. We choose to hear the plight of the poor, as their livelihoods are especially badly disrupted due to a lack of resources to rebuild after natural disasters occur.
“With the world predicted to get warmer by one point five degrees by 2050, it is most likely that more extreme weather events will disrupt livelihoods and economic activities.
“Coupled with increased urbanisation resulting in a major demand for housing in urban areas, local government has its work cut out for it,” Mayor Van Niekerk said.
Hosted by the Department of Science and Innovation, the event is themed “Building BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism. The Innovator Prize for 2023 will also be awarded.
Issued on behalf of the Office of the Executive Mayor
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