Top UN Official Expects Key Developments at COP 18

Doha, November 30 (QNA) - Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Christiana Figueres expressed her expectations towards important developments to take place on a number of issues by the end of this week at the 18th Conference of Parties (COP 18) in Doha. In a press conference held Friday at the COP 18, Figueres listed primary successes achieved by the end of the first week, indicating that they include the whole package because 45 topics are on the discussion table. Parties participating in the talks are beginning to reach common grounds in regards to the pending issue of the Kyodo Protocol, she said, stressing that most importantly, delegations from all countries came with a commitment towards working on what had been achieved at the 17th session in Durban. Over the slow decision-making in face of climate change, she expressed hopes over everybody s awareness of statements made by scientists and experts regarding the importance of lowering emissions, but she clarified that it clashed with their local standpoints resulting in a gap between hopes and reality. The Executive Secretary called on governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to assume their responsibilities in seeking sustainable solutions, indicating that emission reductions agreed upon by Kyoto Protocol Parties are legally binding. Currently, a legal method is being studied for usage to connect the first commitment period with the second, she said, adding that the second period will be legally implemented at any time. Over whether the Conference will look into the general climate policy, the UN official asserted that a larger and more ambitious agreement had been developed in Durban, adding that it will be presented for discussion at 2015, but it is not on the table now in Doha as parties are working on a plan to pave the way for that new global agreement. Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Figueres affirmed that major progress has been made in that direction, opening horizons for national, local and semi-local legislation, adding that there is a general understanding that the world is heading towards a future with less CO2 emissions and everybody needs to join on board. On the withdrawal of Canada, Japan, and Russia from the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and its effect on the climate change future, the UN official clarified that these countries will still abide by the Protocol s standards while other countries including New Zealand will implement all rules cited. Regarding funding, the Executive Secretary indicated that considerable progress has been made over phase-related financial commitments, adding that discussions led by the Climate Fund and some funding heads are underway. The topic of funding will be at the heart of discussions at the second week of the Conference, Figueres said. The main focus of the talks will be how industrial nations could switch their current commitment to pay $10 billion a year to the amount previously agreed upon in Copenhagen which goes up to $100 billion before 2020, she explained, which she posited would require a ministerial commitment next week. On the intertwining issues within climate change, the UN official said that there are no standalone topics, adding that connections make way for collective progress. She suggested that a politically balanced solution is desirable, albeit not pleasing to all parties, but there must be a general understanding that it will presently help their interests. The UN official considered the general atmosphere at the Doha Conference to be positive, fruitful, and found that all parties are working diligently, pointing out that there are draft resolutions to be presented at ministerial meetings due to be held December 4th. Participating governments will determine the commitment towards the mission and a timeframe to reach a comprehensive and fair agreement to be ratified in 2015 and implemented in 2020. The specialized team working on the Durban platform will aim to raise the current global ambition towards facing climate change and its effects before 2020. (QNA)