Delegate of Australia

Yazan Taiser Zamel

Zoonosis

Honorable Chair and Respectable Delegates,

The past decade of the 21st century has witness earth-shaking changes in technology
development and scientific progress, yet still zoonosis poses a great threat to human race. In
the past decade, Australia has suffered worst climate change impacts, such as increasing
temperatures, extreme drought and increasing shortage in water resources, all of which
intensify the existence of zoonotic diseases. Thus, solving the climate change issue is a
pressing priority for Australia.
Since climate change is primarily the result of greenhouse gas emissions, which are largely
caused by the use of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal. In light of this, the Australian
government believes that most important first step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
tackle climate change is by improving the structure of energy consumption and by promoting
the process of energy diversification, that is, to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, such
as oil and coal, while to increase the share of renewable energy.
As of March of 2017, Australian Government announced the $150 million Renewable
Technology Fund – a key pillar of the state energy plan. The fund is designed to accelerate
the transformation to the next generation of renewable energy technologies not only in
Australia but also in 12 different countries around the world.
In addition, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) of Australia is engaged in a number of
international activities and programmes to facilitate the development of clean energy and
technologies: it works in alliance with international partners, supports and organises
international events, and involves in the UN climate change negotiations. Australia also
participates in some regional programmes, including the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean
Development and Climate, “Energy for All” (E4ALL) and Green Growth. Domestically, the
CEC actively promotes the development of renewable energy and technologies, and makes
efforts in improving energy efficiency. Australia spent more than 8 billion dollars for these
initiatives. The government, in support, introduces the Clean Energy Act and the Carbon Tax
Law and Carbon Farming Initiatives in order to reduce the industrial greenhouse gas
emissions.
The government has also established an Australian CDC which is resourced to research,
manage, and provide rapid risk assessments of zoonotic diseases, scientific briefings,
surveillance reports, policy advice, and public education about potential disease threats and
prevention measures. Australian did not conduct these educational initiatives but also at an
international level. The Australian government will continue to eradicate zoonotic diseases
not only locally, yet it is also willing to formulate international collaboration, ensuring that
the world is becoming better and greener.