An interview with the Sudanese Foreign Minister Environmental Afffairs Director

I now have the first complete story here. I have been having notes on some observations but are just bare phases so I will publish them later when I get a chance. I'be been maintaining our official English blog for the past two days and translated some posts.

There have already been many spotlights in two days. Many topics relate to my two studies, one on rural renewable energy development and one one CDM related issues. And here one on women in leadership:) I would also appreciate your comments and questions. They are important in shaping my orientation and what I can get out of this opportunity, both academically and communication skills per se. I thank you your attention and again, your support for making this trip possible.

On the first day of COP 15, Monnday afternoon, the first planetary AWG-LCA meeting was held in the biggest conference hall. Different groups of countries were given a chance to have a general position statement. Groups include but not all Sudan representing G77+China, Lesoto representing LDCs, Switzeland presenting EIG countries and such(I might be adding more background information later on).

The Sudanese Minister of Foreign affairs’ Environmental Affairs Director Amira Gornass drew my attention as she gave a speech on behalf of the G77+China group, stating the group’s full engagement and good faith here to implement the Bali Action Plan. She also delivered an opening speech for the group during last UN climate change conference.

Educated at one of oldest women’s college in the U.S., I was preceded by highly accomplished women throughout the U.S. history in science, education and governance, etc. I approached her during the meeting to request an interview afterwards, as part of my goal here to identify outstanding women leaders fighting against climate change. She kindly agreed.

My first question was how she thought of the role of women in face of climate change. Ms. Gornass replied firmly that women have a huge role. First of all women were the ones mostly hit by climate change and care about the environment. “We were the cookers, farmers at home. We were the educators of our children. I think education women’s education is especially important.”

The second question was on the role of women in Sudan in particular. Ms. Gornass was very proud to tell me that about 60% of college students were female in Sudan, although the awareness of climate change still lacked in Sudan. They are not just suffering from it, not realizing that it was largely caused by climate change. The conflict in Southern Sudan was essentially a resource war caused by many desertification and droughts that were associated with climate change. The government now was bringing up the education of global warming—not a lot, and more is needed.

When speaking of the Chinese Sudanese relationship, Ms. Gornass said it was 50 years of good friendship, “Chinese people come to Sudan to develop the invest in the infrastructure and trade.” She also expected this COP meeting will generate strong outcomes with Annex-1 countries fulfilling their duties.

I wasted no time to take a photo with her. She said I should come to visit someday and she would receive me at her house. No other way, said me.

I only slept for two hours last night. My temporary roommate woke me up two hours after I fell asleep. I never fell asleep again...My brain was just reactivated and kept on recapping the day. Plus a hungry stomach.