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| PLENARY:
INAUGURATION OF THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT |
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Left
photos: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India, inaugurated the
high-level segment with the “lighting of the lamp” ceremony.
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Left photos: The plenary was treated to a presentation of children
dressed as nature. |
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| STATEMENTS
FROM HEADS OF UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES: |
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 The
World Meteorological Organization Secretary General G. O. P. Obasi
called on Parties to continue to support the systematic observation of
the atmosphere and other activities to reduce scientific uncertainties. |
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UNEP
Executive Director Klaus Töpfer noted that those in poverty will suffer
the adverse effects of climate change most. He called for concrete
action on adaptation as well as mitigation.
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| STATEMENTS
FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: |
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IPCC
Chair Rajendra Pachauri encouraged Parties to make maximum use of the
IPCC Third Assessment Report (TAR) in their deliberations, and noted
that the Fourth Assessment Report would focus more on the costs and
benefits of mitigation options and hopefully include regional analyses. |
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GEF
Assistant CEO Kenneth King remarked on the GEF’s third replenishment,
which will allow the GEF to increase funding for climate change related
activities, and noted that the GEF will make initial disbursements under
the UNFCCC LDC Fund in the coming weeks. |
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World
Bank Environment Department Director Kristalina Georgieva said that the
Bank is committed to supporting carbon finance. |
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OPEC
General Secretary Alvaro Calderón remarked that renewable technologies
are in their infancy and that technological advances are making oil and
gas “cleaner fuels.” |
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| STATEMENTS
FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:
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Nasimul
Haque, for the Climate Action Network, called for substantial financial
transfers from developed countries to developing countries to support
adaptation, and for measures to keep temperature change well below 2
degrees celsius, while ensuring development. |
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| PRESENTATION
OF A CHILDREN’S CHARTER TO THE PRESIDENT: |
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Two
youth delegates presented a Children’s Charter to COP-8 President
Baalu. The Charter notes several concerns of India’s youth, including
the increase of greenhouse gas concentrations, the rise in sea levels,
and the threat climate change poses to flora and fauna. |
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| THE
HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: |
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COP-8 President Baalu expressed hope that the Delhi Declaration would
become a historic milestone in the UNFCCC process.
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UNFCCC
Executive Secretary Joke Waller-Hunter noted achievements since COP-7,
including the WSSD outcomes. Pointing to extreme weather events
experienced globally in recent months, she highlighted the importance of
tackling poverty and climate change. |
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Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India, described India’s commitment
to combating global climate change, remarking on its renewable energy
sector and ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
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| ROUND
TABLE
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| COP
President Baalu welcomed delegates to the first Ministerial Round Table
under the theme “Taking Stock,” co-chaired by Minister Margaret
Beckett (UK). Co-Chair Beckett said the session would set the stage for
later round tables. While noting the comprehensive climate change
mitigation framework already achieved, she said there is no room for
complacency.
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Many delegates highlighted their domestic
situations, actions and experiences. Listen to government and NGO
statements from the round table.
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| CHINA
| IRAN
| JAPAN
| KENYA
| MEXICO
| MOROCCO
| NIUE
| NORWAY
| POLAND
| SAUDI
ARABIA | TONGA
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|THAILAND
| UGANDA
| VENEZUELA
|CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK |
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| CONTACT
GROUP:
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| NON-ANNEX I ISSUES: The contact group,
chaired by Jos� Romero (Switzerland) met throughout the day. Parties
worked through the text on the improved guidelines for non-Annex I
national communications, removing several brackets.
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Earth
Negotiations Bulletin:
ENB Summary of
UNFCCC COP-7 in PDF (