Excellencies Heads of State
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you very much for the opportunity to briefly convey to you the current status and developments related to South Africa’s hosting of 17th Conference of the Parties and the 7th Meeting of Parties (COP17/CMP7) in Durban at the end of the year.
To guide us in the process as the incoming COP17/CMP7 Presidency a number of formal and informal meetings have been utilised to glean from Parties what they would regard as key to achieving a successful outcome in Durban.
The following key messages have emerged: The outcome in Durban should be balanced, fair and credible; while at the same time preserving and strengthening the multilateral rules-based response to climate change. The approach to reach a balanced, fair and credible outcome in Durban must be informed by the basic principles that underpin the basis of United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate change negotiations.
The Cancun Agreements must be operationalised, including the establishment of the key mechanisms and institutional arrangements agreed to in Cancun.
The Green Climate Fund represents a centre piece for a broader set of outcomes for Durban:
i. Developing countries demand a prompt start for the Fund through its early and initial capitalisation.
ii. For Durban to be successful, we have to do more than simply make the Cancun Agreements operational. We should find a resolution to the issue of the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol and agree on the legal nature of a future climate change system.
iii. Adaptation is an essential element of the outcome in Durban as it is a key priority for many developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Africa. The current fragmented approach to adaptation must be addressed in a more coherent manner that gives equal priority to adaptation and mitigation.
iv. Any outcome in Durban has to be adequate enough to adhere to the principle of environmental integrity. In this context the low level of ambition is a serious concern.
Distinguished Colleagues, Africa is the hardest-hit by climate change. Its vulnerability stems not only from climate change impacts such as the rise in the sea level, severe droughts and floods, but also from the current levels of poverty, which limit their ability to cope with these impacts. There is no doubt that a global response is the only effective and sustainable answer to this global challenge.
The conference in Durban presents us with an opportunity to shape the future global response to climate change by providing political direction to address the more difficult political issues. It is our view that the multilateral rules-based system must prevail. Without it, there can be no guarantee that countries will do what they have committed to do; and all the gains made over decades will be lost.
I must emphasise that finance remains one of the key issues for Durban. In fact, I believe this is the key that could unlock other priority issues, not only for a comprehensive climate deal, but also to place the global community on a path that will allow us to build resilient societies.
As we approach Durban let us pause for a moment to reflect on the significant progress made in Cancun on providing finance for Climate Change, through the Fast Start Financing already committed; as well as setting a goal of mobilising jointly 100 billion dollars by 2020. The focus of the work in 2011 and beyond must continue to be on our collective efforts to make these commitments a reality.
The question is – Do we have the collective political will to make the necessary decisions in Durban to secure sustained financing for climate change in the future?
I was informed that the Transitional Committee concluded its work in Cape Town and, although the deliberations were rather difficult, the outcome reached is perceived to be balanced.
I am also aware that many Parties are concerned about the continuity of climate financing beyond 2012, including making the Green Climate Fund operational. This of course presents a significant political challenge given the current fiscal situation in many developed countries.
There are many issues that require guidance, but I would like to single out one issue that has the potential to unlock many outstanding matters, namely, the balance between what we do now and what we agree now to do in the future.
We as the G20 need to display leadership and find common ground not only among ourselves, but also with other nations, to find the credible, transparent and equitable solutions required by us all.
We are accountable to the global citizens who suffer daily from the impacts of climate change and hold high expectations for effective solutions to the threat that climate change presents to their livelihood, quality of life, dignity, and, in many cases, their very survival.
We will expect countries to show leadership in finding the required solutions, because only by working together we can save tomorrow, today.
I thank you.
