Preparations for the National Communication

Zimbabwe is expected to submit its initial National Communication in March 1997, as required under Article 12.5 of the UNFCCC. Given the amount of the past and current activities on climate change in Zimbabwe , the present proposal will extensively draw from and build upon the past and current work rather than duplicating what has been and is being undertaken.. Thus, the main objective of this proposal is to assist the country to produce its initial national communication as required by Article 12.1 (a), (b) and (c) of the Convention based on the available data.. New data will not be collected for this proposal.

The existing scientific and technical capacity of Zimbabwe is higher than many African countries. This expertise which exists in the private sector, universities, Government, research institutions and NGOs is quite dilute and uncoordinated. There is need to further develop it into a critical mass which should form a basis for the design of a national collective and concerted effort to streamline climate change decision-making. Only through this approach can an effective programme be launched with national, provincial, district and sectoral considerations and commitment.

Further, within the public sector, there is now an urgent need to enhance the scientific, technical and policy analysis capacity as far as the implementation of the UNFCCC is concerned. This is more so because an improved awareness on the part of the private sector will need the full guidance and support from the public sector. This support and guidance will not be possible with limited capacity on the part of the public sector. The public sector in this case would include the various technical and administrative departments of Government and parastatals responsible for implementing Government's PSIP or Public Sector Investment Programmes. The present liberalisation atmosphere guiding most of Government's decision-making on economic programmes will enhance Government and private sector collaboration in fulfilling national commitments under the UNFCCC. Particulary of importance is the need to submit the National Communications in Time

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