19-11-2013, 10:29 AM
Leaders meeting at COP19, currently underway in Warsaw, Poland, must ensure that progress is made with the implementation of decisions already taken under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol.
This is according to the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, who on Monday departs for the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP19). COP19 will conclude on 22 November 2013.
Under South Africa’s COP Presidency, COP17 achieved a historic agreement, initiating negotiations on a new global legal instrument, applicable to all countries, to be adopted by 2015 and to be fully operational in 2020.
Molewa, who said she expects COP19 to be a difficult meeting, called for talks to ensure that progress is made with the implementation of decisions already taken under the convention and the Kyoto Protocol.
She said South Africa believed that work must advance under the Durban Platform so that negotiations on a new legal agreement can be concluded by 2015.
“This means that Warsaw must achieve agreement on a clear plan for negotiations towards COP20 in Lima, at the end of 2014 and COP21 in Paris at the end of 2015,†she said.
At the COP17 in Durban, negotiations were underway on the next steps to be taken to ensure an effective global response to the global challenge of climate change. COP19 is critical for setting the stage for achieving a global agreement in Paris at the end of 2015.
Molewa said at COP19, South Africa would aim to continue to secure the Durban legacy by showing leadership and seeking creative solutions that build the necessary bridges between what often seems to be contradictory positions.
South Africa will also put forward its candidature to co-chair the Durban Platform negotiations in 2015. - SAnews.gov.za
This is according to the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, who on Monday departs for the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP19). COP19 will conclude on 22 November 2013.
Under South Africa’s COP Presidency, COP17 achieved a historic agreement, initiating negotiations on a new global legal instrument, applicable to all countries, to be adopted by 2015 and to be fully operational in 2020.
Molewa, who said she expects COP19 to be a difficult meeting, called for talks to ensure that progress is made with the implementation of decisions already taken under the convention and the Kyoto Protocol.
She said South Africa believed that work must advance under the Durban Platform so that negotiations on a new legal agreement can be concluded by 2015.
“This means that Warsaw must achieve agreement on a clear plan for negotiations towards COP20 in Lima, at the end of 2014 and COP21 in Paris at the end of 2015,†she said.
At the COP17 in Durban, negotiations were underway on the next steps to be taken to ensure an effective global response to the global challenge of climate change. COP19 is critical for setting the stage for achieving a global agreement in Paris at the end of 2015.
Molewa said at COP19, South Africa would aim to continue to secure the Durban legacy by showing leadership and seeking creative solutions that build the necessary bridges between what often seems to be contradictory positions.
South Africa will also put forward its candidature to co-chair the Durban Platform negotiations in 2015. - SAnews.gov.za