NATIONAL ACTION AND AMBITION ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey, declared that all countries must be included in a legally-binding agreement in 2015 based on CBDR and reported that between 1999 and 2012, Turkey has mitigated 21% of Green House Gases (GHG) emissions, excluding action on deforestation, and reduced 50% of its carbon intensity. He reported the goal of increasing the share of Renewable Energy and improving forest protection.
President Hassan Rouhani, Iran, noted that political disputes have become an obstacle to agreement and that Iran is ready to engage with other countries. He called for a comprehensive agreement on climate change.
President Fuad Masum, Iraq, expressed appreciation for efforts to develop a new protocol or legal agreement and supported an inclusive and just approach.
Riad Malki, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Palestine, noted that climate change has affected their food and water supplies, saying that these effects are exacerbated by conflict.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt, noted that adaptation is a priority for Arab countries, as well equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). He said a new legal framework should not replace the UNFCCC.
Aramayis Grigoryan, Minister of Nature Protection, Armenia, noted the use of ecosystem approaches to address climate change, but stressed that regional cooperation is needed for this to be successful.
Huseyngulu Baghirov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerbaijan, highlighted that the country’s economic growth has been based on clean technology and that the government has been actively engaged in mitigation efforts.
Deputy Prime Minister Raşit Meredow, Turkmenistan, highlighted his engagement in assisting the development of clean technology in Central Asia and the advancement of a national climate change strategy. He concluded by
encouraging a systemic and multilateral approach to support decisions made in Copenhagen, Cancun, Durban and Rio de Janeiro.
Abdyldaev Erlan Bekeshovich, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, said mountains as ecosystems are the most vulnerable to climate change, and highlighted hydropower as “the most important condition for achieving sustainable development,” suggesting that large hydropower stations could address both GHG and water scarcity in mountain regions.
Erlan Idrissov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kazakhstan, announced plans to decrease the energy intensity of GDP by 50%, and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 40%.
President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, Mongolia, said the country’s herdsmen are already feeling the impact of climate change and stressed that the time to act is now.
Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda, Tajikistan, lamented the degradation of Tajik glaciers, and called for action to address this. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Timor Leste, called for universal action on climate change and a binding agreement in 2015.
Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Minister, Pakistan, recalled recent flooding that displaced millions, among several other disasters triggered largely by climate change. She called for negotiating a “win-win” outcome on climate change, and said the world is facing “not just a threat, but also a threat multiplier.”
Ali Saleh Al-Omair, Minister of Oil, Kuwait, said his country is working to diversify energy sources, through the use of wind and solar power, and highlighted that the oil sector is beginning to manage its GHG emissions.
Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qatar, outlined its National Vision for Qatar in 2020, which involves diversifying the economy, reducing emissions and striving for greater EE.
Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, said reducing GHGs should not undermine economic growth or sustainable development, and stressed that the international response must respect the principles of the UNFCCC, in particular CBDR.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates, said constructive partnerships are needed to address climate change.
Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Greece, said climate policies are critical to both economic recovery and a sustainable environment. He expressed firm support for putting a price on carbon and endorsed it as an action for the Climate Summit.
Rovana Plumb, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Romania, said her country has operationalized its Climate Strategy and Action Plan, focusing on transport, agriculture, infrastructure and EE.
Nikola Poposki, Minister of Foreign Affairs, FYR Macedonia, outlined national efforts to reduce emissions, saying the most cost-effective approach to energy supply for the country is replacement of coal-fired power plants with natural gas, hydropower and solar facilities.
President Bakir Izetbegović, Bosnia and Herzegovina, recalled the damage caused by severe floods in 2014 and stated that the reduction of natural disasters must be a priority for the post-2015 climate agreement.
President Bujar Faik Nishani, Albania, reported that it has implemented climate policies in line with EU regulations and declared that climate change is a threat to security due to conflicts over resources. He underlined the development of a new domestic plan for 2014-2020, that will mainstream climate change concerns into other policy sectors.
President Rosen Plevneliev, Bulgaria, recalled the 20th anniversary of the UNFCCC and highlighted the importance of EE when tackling climate change. He noted Bulgaria’s target of reducing 18.5% of GHG emissions by 2020 compared to 2005 and declared that energy “should not be used as a weapon.”
President Tomislav Nikolić, Serbia, urged adopting a long-term DRR framework at the Third UN World Conference on DRR, to be held in Japan in 2015.
President Filip Vujanović, Montenegro, highlighted the role of the Climate Summit to mobilize support and contribute to the acceptance of climate change as an essential issue.
Amir Peretz, Minister of Environmental Protection, Israel, supported a new global agreement on climate change, and said it has invested major resources in GHG reduction, with a focus on EE.
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