The regional parliamentary conference to raise awareness among lawmakers on climate started in Windhoek.
The conference will take stock of national and international commitments on climate change that the governments in the region have taken.
The conference was attended by parliamentarians, government officials, and farmers affected by climate change.
The Secretary of the Otjimbingwe Farmers Association, Fabiola Ugams, says the majority are faced with challenges due to drought or effects of climate change, such as less rain, boreholes drying up, and loss of livestock and vegetation as a result of changing rainfall patterns.
"The gardening projects are standing still, the cattle are dying, and farmers are really facing difficulties."
According to the International Panel on Climate Change, the African continent is one of the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and extreme weather events, spending up to 10% of its GDP on climate response efforts.
Although the continent contributes only 3.6% to global carbon dioxide emissions, more than half of the population bears the burden of impacts ranging from drought, rising temperatures, heat waves, flooding, and coastal erosion to changes in rainfall patterns.
The Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, says the forum provides an opportunity for southern African countries to share experiences on the tools they use for oversight and tracking the progress of climate policy implementations.
"As parliamentarians and representatives of the people, our role in overseeing and ensuring the accountability of climate action is fundamental. We are entrusted with the responsibility to not only understand the complexity of climate risk but also to guide our respective governments in making informed and effective decisions."
The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Loide Kasingo, urged leaders to honour the Paris Agreement, which is a long-term goal to keep the rise in global surface temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius.
She stated that the parliament, with its core legislative oversight, budgetary, and representative roles, is key to safeguarding the climate change initiatives, of which all SADC countries are signatories.
"Parliaments are vital for the translation of international climate change commitments into country-level action since climate change is a global issue that transcends borders. Hence, strong inter-parliamentarian intervention is crucial for finding international solutions that ensure all countries can meet and adhere to the Paris Agreement."
The three-day meeting is set to conclude on the 2nd of August.