Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Pacific Press For Action On Climate Change Finance
At UN, Pacific Island Nations Press For Urgent Action
On Climate Change Financing
New York, Sep 27 2010 3:10PM
Top officials from the Pacific Island nations issued calls from the General Assembly podium today for enhanced measures to be taken on combating climate change, especially in speeding up the availability of funds for poorer nations to adapt to global warming.
At last December’s climate change conference in Copenhagen, industrialized countries pledged $30 billion of fast-track funding for developing countries through 2012, with that figure set to climb to $100 billion annually by 2020.
But the “much-publicized ‘fast-track’ funding,” Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, "http://gadebate.un.org/Portals/1/statements/634211849807968750WS_en.pdf"told the Assembly’s high-level debate today, “has become a ‘best kept secret.’”
He stressed that “information on how much of the pledges have been honoured, disbursed and to whom, has been scarce. When available, the information is vague and seems bereft of coordination.”
With the form, content and completion of a new global treaty on climate change remaining uncertain, Mr. Malielegaoi stressed that making the promised funds available is a “moral imperative.”
The next conference of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ("http://unfccc.int/2860.php"UNFCCC) is set to be held in November in Cancun, Mexico.
“We cannot afford to leave Cancun empty-handed,” the Samoan official stressed. “Concrete results must be achieved not only to give our people confidence that substantive responses are being reached to protect against climate change and at the same time strengthen our belief that our United Nations can deliver a legally-binding agreement.”
Also "http://gadebate.un.org/Portals/1/statements/634211828895156250FJ_en.pdf"urging the provision of the promised fast-track funding “without delay” was Fijian Prime Minister, Commodore Josaia V. Bainimarama.
“The threat of climate change, particularly sea level rise, continues to hang over us all,” he told the Assembly today.
“While some of us are more vulnerable than others, we must work in concert as a responsible international family to mitigate the adverse effects of this global phenomenon.
The need for global cooperation to solve the issue of climate change was among the themes of the address by Vice-President Mohamed Waheed of the Maldives.
His country, he "http://gadebate.un.org/Portals/1/statements/634211908947968750MV_en.pdf" said, “believes that it is time to let go of the mistrust and blame that has plagued the UNFCCC process.”
Dr. Waheed welcomed India’s recent initiative to voluntarily curb its emissions and its commitment to promote green energy “without waiting for others to follow suit.”
Climate change, he stressed, threatens the country’s very existence, and the Maldives has invested in water and sanitation projects, as well as coastal defences. It is also creating voluntary resettlement programmes to move people to more viable islands within the country.
“It is unquestionable that our actions alone cannot save us,” the Vice- President underlined. “The global community must act.”
ENDS
UN News: COP29 - Push For Agreement On A New Climate Finance Deal ‘Right From The Start’
Powering Past Coal Alliance: Coal Transition Commission Lays Out Recommendations To Accelerate The Coal-to-Clean Energy Transition
Global Climate and Health Alliance: Governments Must Commit Trillions In Climate Finance To Protect People’s Health
Government of Vanuatu: Ahead Of COP29, Landmark ICJ Climate Case Looms, With Vanuatu As First Country Speaking
Global Strategic Communications Council: COP29 Curtain Raiser - COP29 Expectations
UNFPA: UNFPA Calls On The Global Community To Stand With Women And Youth In Afghanistan