Tuesday 8 December 2009

PNG to boost Pacific voice at COP15

The final list of what is expected to be the largest national delegation from the Pacific developing nation attending the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, is yet to be released.


Papua New Guinea's full delegation is yet to arrive, to join climate change talks that got underway yesterday (Monday) and delegates have been flying in over the last week for the many seperate meetings involved in the UNFCCC program. PNG Chief negotiator, Kevin Conrad (left) is leading PNG's cause, under the banner of the Coalition of Rainforest Nations, which sat for their first meeting on Monday and he has been leading the charge in the plenary sessions.

The Office of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability and the Department of Environment and Conservation, remains to the 11th hour tight lipped, on who is on the delegation and how many are representing PNG. But delegates here say Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, who is leading the delegation will officially announce the delegation before he leaves the country, on Sunday, as well as clarify PNG's position at the world climate meet.  Sir Michael is also expected to announce the Climate Change declaration signed at the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Meanwhile, during the meeting in Copenhagen Sir Michael is expected to join the high level talks segment with other world leaders after the 15th of December, with a highly anticipated a new climate change deal, to be endorsed on the 18th. PNG is also hosting a side event on what it is advocating for 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation' (REDD) this week.

Ahimsa Kibikibi
PNG NBC
Climate Pasifika

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