UNITED NATIONS, Feb 14 (APP): Delegates at a UN high-level debate on climate change Wednesday urged developed countries to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the major contributor to global warming.
The thematic debate, which started Monday and was originally planned for two days, dragged on into a third day because of the vast number of intended speakers from more than 100 countries and international organizations.
Representatives of developing countries said that the developed countries are historically responsible for the release of greenhouse gas emissions and must make significant contributions in achieving the present and future global policies on mitigation and adaptation.
They said the reality was that developed countries are responsible for the bulk of current and historical greenhouse gas emissions. The developed nations have to help developing countries address the problem through technology transfer or financial incentives.
In his closing remarks, General Assembly President, Srgjan Kerim, urged rich nations to “demonstrate their willingness” to provide fresh financing to developing nations.
Kerim also called for enhancing the “critical role of international financial institutions and private sector” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is the key,” Kerim said. “Because the importance of accelerating technology transfers to developing countries and securing sufficient financing for adaptation and mitigation cannot be underestimated.
“In this regard, the General Assembly has sent a clear signal to the World Bank and the donor community to scale up investment in developing countries to support national and international efforts to address climate change,” he added.
The high-level session, titled “Addressing climate change, the United Nations and the world at work,” was meant to build on the momentum generated by the international climate conference in December on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, where delegates from nearly 190 nations agreed to adopt a blueprint to control global warming gases before the end of next year.