By Cecilia Ologunagba
Lima- Nigeria has appealed to African countries to quickly put structure on ground to access the Green Climate Fund to implement its adaptation activities in their countries.
Mr Yerima Tarfa, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, made the call at the African Group of Negotiators Meeting with Vice President of Tanzania, Dr Gharib Bilai in Lima, Peru.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was part of events at the ongoing High-Level Segment of the 20th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in the Peruvian capital.
Tarfa, who spoke on behalf of Nigerian negotiators, said “the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has announced the initial capitalisation of nearly 10 billion dollars to the Green Climate Fund.’’
He appealed to the leaders to ensure continuous participation of technician negotiators in Conference of Parties (COP) meetings.
He said “I want to request the continuous participation of technical experts in COP processes.
“There is no consistency in the participation of key technicians; we keep on changing the technicians, this will make it difficult for us in following up issues.
“I want to appreciate Tanzania for its leadership role. It has really strengthened the group of negotiators.’’
According to him, the technicians discuss the need for balance between allocation of resources and adaptation and mitigation during climate change.
The deputy director said “we want to urge the honorable minsters in the negotiation to reiterate this stand for the benefit of Africans.’’
Responding, Bilai who represented Dr Jakaya Kiwette, the Tanzania President, the Coordinator of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), assured the technicians of the committee’s support in carrying out their task.
He urged them to be united to be able to negotiate the African interest in preparing the draft comprehensive climate agreement to the COP 21 meeting coming up in Paris, France in 2015.
Earlier at the High-Level Segment, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, urged developed countries to mobilise support that would meet their commitment to the Green Climate Fund and strive to exceed the target.
He said “I call on countries that have not yet pledged to assist the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to consider making financial commitment in Lima.
“We must clearly define a pathway to achieving the goal of 100 billion dollars by 2020 in support of developing.
“I call on developed countries to mobilise support that will meet and exceed this target.’’
The UN scribe also urged the private sector to redeem its commitment of 200 billion dollars to the Fund.
According him, the sector must redeem the pledge it made at the September Climate Summit and leverage on that.
Ban said “government leadership is needed to create the framework that can drive action and advance our socio- economic development goals.
“The realisation of low carbon climate resilient future requires partnership with cities, citizens and chief executive officers.’’
In his remarks, Bolivia’s President, Evo Morales, urged leaders to change their attitude in addressing the issue of climate change.
Morales, who spoke on behalf of the Group of 77 and China said “climate change has become the escape valve to avoid discussing basic issues such as the model of capitalistic development.
“We are slowly killing humankind.’’
Ms Christiana Figueres, the Executive-Secretary, UNFCCC, said “history will not judge us right if we fail to address the challenges of climate change.’’
She said that the future would look “not only for how many tonnes of greenhouse gases we were able to reduce but also whether we were able to protect the most vulnerable.
“The future will also evaluate if we were able to alleviate poverty and create future and prosperity for all. That future is for us to create.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum will create an opportunity for over 190 ministers from countries across the globe to provide strategic direction to set the foundation for the 2015 agreement in Paris, France. (NAN)