Cancun Climate Change Conference (November 29 to December 10)
Côte d’Ivoire
Korea
Middle East
Cancun Climate Change Conference (November 29 to December 10)
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16) and the 6th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (MOP 6) will be held in Cancun (Mexico) from Monday, November 29 to Friday, December 10, 2010. These meetings will bring together 192 States and will take place a year after the Copenhagen Conference which did not result in a UN decision on the post-2012 regime to fight against climate change but concluded with a historical political agreement establishing in particular guidelines on continuing the process.
Negotiations continued throughout 2010 and allowed us to establish a possible compromise on a series of decisions relating to the most advanced areas of the negotiation:
- the fight against deforestation
- technology cooperation
- adapting to the effects of climate change and the role of agriculture
The negotiators should endeavor to make progress on the issue of quantified emission reduction commitments for each country, on long-term international financing, including in particular the arrangements for establishing the Copenhagen Green Climate Fund, and on the system to monitor commitments (“MRV”).
France, together with its European Union partners, is in favor of a step-by-step negotiation approach, based on the results of the Copenhagen Conference and on the Kyoto Protocol. It supports a second commitment phase in accordance with the post-2012 protocol, within the framework of a broader arrangement paving the way for a comprehensive international framework involving all of the major economies. The European Union will reaffirm its compliance with the financial commitments that it made in Copenhagen with the payment of the first annual installment of the €7.2 billion pledged under the early financing program which will extend until 2012, including €1.26 billion for France.
France is very keen for this new conference to lead to concrete conclusions within the framework of the United Nations, the only legitimate forum for these decisions. It lends its unwavering support to the Mexican presidency of the Conference as well as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres.
France will also endeavor to defend the interests of the most vulnerable countries, notably in terms of access to sustainable energy and adaptation to the effects of climate change.
Climate change policy and participation in the international climate change negotiations are one of France’s strategic priorities. The Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, will go to Cancun from December 6 to 7. Brice Lalonde, former minister, Ambassador responsible for Climate Negotiations, will lead the French delegation throughout the negotiations.
What do you think about the televised debate between the candidates? Are you considering evacuating the French nationals?
The televised debate was important. It’s the Ivorian people who should voice their opinions on this debate. It shouldn’t be us here in Paris.
France pays tribute to the quality of the exchange, the respect that each of the candidates demonstrated for each other and what also seemed important to us during this debate is the commitment of both candidates to respect the results of the elections.
It was an excellent debate which revealed a high level of democratic maturity which will have certainly captured the attention of the Ivorian viewers who will vote in 2 days time. Following this discussion, I want to emphasize the commitment of the two candidates to respect the results of the presidential election.
Regarding the election itself, we voiced our opinion yesterday in the press briefing. Our only desire is for this election to be a success for Ivorian democracy, a success for the Ivorian voters. We would like all of this to take place in an atmosphere of calm and we are relying on all those who are involved in this election to demonstrate a sense of responsibility so that the Ivorian people can express their opinion.
You didn’t respond to the other part of the question. Are there any specific precautionary measures for the French nationals?
You should consult the “Travel Advice” site. It is updated in real time.
What is the status of things at the UN with regard to Korea?
I don’t have any new information compared to the last few days; discussions are continuing.
When is Mrs. Alliot-Marie planning to go the Middle East? Doesn’t the Middle East exist for France now?
Stop there. Please re-read all of the speech delivered recently by President Sarkozy at the 40th anniversary of the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce. This is an important speech. Of course, Mrs. Alliot-Marie is attentive to what is happening in the Middle East and it’s not in any way an issue that we would have forgotten. We are working a great deal and we are mobilized. We are in daily contact with our partners in the Arab world, with our American and European partners; we are still working towards the same objective.
As President Sarkozy reaffirmed, France’s determination is stronger than ever, its political will to help move things forward is firmer than ever. As I already had the opportunity to say, this path is strewn with obstacles; we are striving, together with all of the parties, to get around them, to get passed them and to overcome them. It requires a great deal of determination and France’s determination is firmer than ever.