29 November 2009
Commonwealth throws full weight behind climate talks
UN Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon, at a press conference on climate change during the Commonwealth Heads of Government's meeting
PORT OF SPAIN - The 53 nations of the Commonwealth on Saturday threw their full weight behind climate talks in Copenhagen in just over a week's time, leaders taking part in a summit here said.
A Port of Spain Climate Change Consensus agreed on the second day of a Commonwealth summit in Trinidad expressed that support, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon told a news conference.
"We, as the Commonwealth, representing one third of the world's population, believe the time for action on climate change has come," Rudd said.
"The clock is ticking to Copenhagen. We've achieved one further step, significant step forward with this communique and we believe the political goodwill and resolve exists to secure a comprehensive agreement at Copenhagen."
The document, which throws the Commonwealth's "full weight behind the process" to take place in the December 7-18 talks in the Danish capital, committed member nations to seeking a legally-binding climate change treaty in 2010 based on the outcome of the talks.
The ambition is to reach a "comprehensive, substantial and operationally-binding agreement," Rudd said.
Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, attending the summit as a special guest, said 89 heads of state and government had committed to attending the climate talks.
"I remain fully convinced that it will be possible to reach an agreement in Copenhagen," he added.
Ban noted that while momentum toward a climate deal was growing, work still had to be done to seal an accord.
"We are united in purpose, we are not yet united in action," he said, urging world leaders "to stay focused, stay committed and come to Copenhagen" as he vowed to dedicate all his energy to building a consensus.
Host Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma emphasized that the diversity of the 53-nation group -- whose members count rich nations Britain and Canada as well as climate-vulnerable states such as the Maldives -- was valuable in airing differences ahead of Copenhagen.
"The Commonwealth's strength is the quality of voice it gives to everyone," Sharma said.
- AFP /ls
