Current location:Culture Clutch news portal > health
Landmark "loss and damage" fund approved as UN climate conference closes in Egypt
Culture Clutch news portal2024-05-21 19:30:51【health】1People have gathered around
IntroductionThis photo shows the closing plenary of the COP27 climate change conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egyp
This photo shows the closing plenary of the COP27 climate change conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A long-awaited "loss and damage" fund to help those countries vulnerable to climate change was approved on Sunday at the end of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
"I welcome the decision to establish a loss and damage fund and to operationalize it in the coming period," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, noting that the two-week conference held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh "has taken an important step towards justice."
However, Guterres said that the fund will not be enough but is "a much-needed political signal to rebuild broken trust."
This photo shows the closing plenary of the COP27 climate change conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
"A fund for loss and damage is essential, but it's not an answer if the climate crisis washes a small island state off the map, or turns an entire African country to desert," said the UN chief.
Guterres also stressed that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is a "red line" that the world must not cross.
The idea of establishing a fund for loss and damage suffered by developing and poor nations due to climate change had always been shunned by developed countries due to their concerns that the fund could expose them to legal liabilities and lawsuits from the affected countries.
"Today, here in Sharm El-Sheikh, we established the first-ever dedicated fund for loss and damage -- a fund that has been so long in the making," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who is also president of the COP27, at the closing session.
"Millions around the globe can now sense a glimmer of hope that their suffering will finally be addressed swiftly and appropriately," he said.
Attended by representatives of nearly 200 nations, the COP27 was extended for more than a day till the proposed agenda was finished.
Shoukry said that the achievements of COP27 deliver a message to the world "that multilateral diplomacy still works" and that, despite the difficulties and challenges, "we remain committed to the fight against climate change."
Sameh Shoukry (C), Egyptian foreign minister and COP27 president, speaks at the closing plenary of the COP27 climate change conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
For his part, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said that the outcome of the COP27, which wasn't easy to accomplish, was "historic" as it benefits the most vulnerable people around the world.
Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation to the COP27 and vice minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, told Xinhua that the COP27 made progress on adaptation, finance and "loss and damage," which are issues of great concern to developing countries.
In addition to the establishment of the "loss and damage" fund, the conference also decided to establish a global adaptation framework, he noted.
However, at this year's conference, developed countries took a passive attitude towards issues such as providing financial and technical support to developing countries, said Zhao.
Developed countries have neither delivered on the 100 billion U.S. dollars in annual climate finance commitment, nor made a clear funding arrangement for doubling adaptation finance, he added.
Zhao said he hoped that developed countries would work together with the international community towards building a shared future of sustainable climate.
Participants are seen near an earth model at the venue of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
Egyptian veteran ecologist Magdy Allam, secretary-general of the Arab Federation for Environmental Experts affiliated with the Cairo-based Arab League, considered the COP27 "a great triumph."
"Including the 'loss and damage' fund on the COP27 agenda is a great victory. It has been completely rejected at all former COP summits," Allam told Xinhua.
"It's a big progress that developed and major industrial countries admitted the damages they have caused to the environment," he said, adding that it is the first COP that underlines implementation and shows commitment. ■
Address of this article:http://botswana.antjekoch.com/content-30a099894.html
Very good!(19176)
Related articles
- Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
- China eyes digital, green economy cooperation potential in Africa: MOC
- Uganda says anti
- China's Top Political Advisory Body Holds Press Conference Ahead of Annual Session
- Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East
- Domestic tourism industry set for 'full recovery' by summer
- Economic Watch: China remains popular destination for foreign investment
- Softer economic data call for quick, decisive action
- Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole
- Xi Focus: Top
Popular articles
Recommended
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
China eyes digital, green economy cooperation potential in Africa: MOC
First Hong Kong tour group arrives in Beijing
Xi Stresses High
Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro
Mozambique inaugurates Chinese
China champions peace, development, confronts jackals, wolves head on
Xi's Article on Strengthening, Improving Work of CPPCC to Be Published
Links
- Marintec China 2023 opens in Shanghai
- Xi Meets President of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies
- Manufacturing access latest opening
- Nation urged to make greater use of geothermal energy
- Appliance upgrades to provide big stimulus
- Scenery of Band
- World Smile Day marked across China
- Healthgen embraces biotech breakthrough
- Healthgen embraces biotech breakthrough
- Xi Calls on Returned Scholars Association to Pool Talent, Strengths for Development