By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Baku, Azerbaijan– Zimbabwe’s President Emerson Mnangagwa delivered a speech at the COP-29 climate change conference that left delegates bewildered. The conference, strictly focused on addressing urgent global climate issues, took an unexpected detour when Mnangagwa pivoted his remarks toward themes of war and peace, seemingly addressing political conflicts rather than climate change.

The speech began on topic, with President Mnangagwa acknowledging the gravity of the climate crisis and Zimbabwe’s vulnerability to its devastating impacts. He discussed the country’s experiences with drought and the challenges faced in transitioning to renewable energy, presenting Zimbabwe’s efforts to develop a carbon market framework and contribute to global climate initiatives.

However, as the speech progressed, Mnangagwa veered off course, unexpectedly calling for a “just, peaceful, and inclusive order” and urging action to build a “legacy of hope and shared prosperity.” These remarks, while laudable in isolation, were oddly misplaced in a forum dedicated to environmental policies and technological solutions to climate change.

Delegates were left puzzled as Mnangagwa appeared to conflate climate action with global political stability, delivering statements more suited to a peace summit than a climate conference. His calls for inclusivity and peace seemed to address geopolitical tensions rather than the pressing environmental issues at hand.

This misstep overshadowed Zimbabwe’s real challenges with climate change, including severe droughts and energy crises. While Mnangagwa briefly highlighted these issues, his divergence into unrelated topics diluted the message and drew attention away from the plight of developing nations like Zimbabwe.

Observers speculate that the President’s speech may have been an attempt to subtly address domestic and regional political tensions, attributed to him back in Southern Africa where he was recently caught on camera gossiping to Russian President baseless suggestions of war against him.

Mnangagwa’s speech raises questions about his preparedness and the priorities of his administration when participating in international climate discussions and his speech at COP-XIX will likely be remembered as a missed opportunity for Zimbabwe to assert itself as a leader in the global fight against climate change, like other presidents have before such as:

1. President Barack Obama’s Address at Georgetown University (June 25, 2013): In this pivotal speech, President Obama unveiled the Climate Action Plan, emphasizing the urgency of reducing carbon pollution and promoting renewable energy sources.

2. President Xi Jinping’s Speech at the United Nations General Assembly (September 22, 2020): President Xi announced China’s commitment to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, marking a significant pledge from one of the world’s largest emitters.

3. President Emmanuel Macron’s Address at the One Planet Summit (December 12, 2017): President Macron reaffirmed France’s dedication to the Paris Agreement and called for increased global efforts to combat climate change, highlighting the importance of multilateral cooperation.

4. President Joe Biden’s Remarks at the Virtual Leaders Summit on Climate (April 22, 2021): President Biden announced the United States’ new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, signaling a renewed commitment to international climate leadership.

These speeches have played crucial roles in shaping national and international climate policies, reflecting the evolving understanding and prioritization of climate change by world leaders.