أ) أهداف التعهد
The natural environment has received significant attention from the state, which has joined most major international charters and agreements related to the environment, especially in armed conflicts. This is clearly shown by lawmakers’ efforts to pass numerous laws and then work to align these national laws and legislations with the agreements through competent authorities. The government of my country commits to voluntarily protecting the environment during conflicts, as follows:
I- Ratification and Accession to International Agreements and Charters:
Sudan has ratified the four Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Protocol, the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibiting the use of chemical and biological weapons in warfare, the 1976 Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques, and the 1997 Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, their Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer, as well as on their destruction, which was signed in October 2003. Sudan also signed the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW).
II- Enactment and Harmonization of Laws and Legislation with Agreements:
Sudanese Criminal Law 1991, Articles (70-71) – Environmental Law of 2001, as amended in 2008
Chemical Weapons Prohibition Law of 2004 – Anti-Mine Law of 2010 – Terrorism Law of 2001, Article (12)
III- National Mechanisms:
- The state has implemented numerous programs, projects, plans, and policies focused on adapting to severe climate conditions, especially the (National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change), along with other relief efforts due to the war. This is achieved through the following mechanisms:
- Supreme Council for Environment and Natural Resources – General Directorate for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Response – National Mine Action Center (NMAC) – National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
ب) خطة العمل:
The action plan includes the following activities:
- Conducting training workshops on how armed conflicts affect the environment, especially in military colleges and academies.
- Raising awareness through platforms, workshops, and forums about how local conflicts impact the environment within communities.
- Assisting those affected in the most disaster-stricken areas (armed conflicts) at the affected states’ level.
- Supporting initiatives such as the Sudanese Sustainable Development Initiative, which aims to gather ten million signatures from young people to commit to action and reduce climate change in Sudan by 2030.
- Including the rules of International Humanitarian Law related to protecting the natural environment in educational curricula through workshops in universities.
- Collaborating with international and national organizations, particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), and civil society organizations.
ج) مؤشرات قياس التقدم المحرز
Nil
د) الآثار المترتبة على الموارد:
Challenges
- Limited funding sources and organizations withdrawing support for plan implementation of plans.
- Training, capacity building, and raising awareness about environmental protection during armed conflicts.
- Challenging security situations.
In conclusion, we call on the international community, conference attendees, and voluntary organizations working in the environmental sector to support the efforts of the state of Sudan to protect natural resources, reduce environmental pollution, and promote sustainable development to create a better future for Sudan and future generations.
