UNIS/INF/59
16 February 2005
United Nations Under-Secretary-General Hails Implementation of Kyoto Climate Change Treaty
(Re-issued as received.)
UNITED NATIONS, 15 February -- As the landmark Kyoto Protocol is set to take effect, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Anwarul K. Chowdhury called for significant reduction through determined national efforts in global gas emissions that would slow down global warming. “There is an urgent necessity for all countries to understand and address the effects of climate change and honour the commitments made under the Protocol,” he said.
Mr. Chowdhury said that the adverse effects of climate change and sea level rise present significant risks to the sustainable development of small island developing states. Referring to the recently-concluded International Meeting held in Mauritius last month to review the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, of which he served as Secretary-General, Mr Chowdhury said, “The Mauritius Strategy, adopted at the Conference, strongly urged all States that have not done so to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in a timely manner.”
“Never before has the negative impact of climate change been more evident than the recent devastating weather conditions resulting in widespread hurricanes, cyclones, tropical storms, tidal waves, tsunamis in various parts of the world, particularly affecting small island developing states. These small countries are the most vulnerable to global climate change,” he underscored.
“The international community must make every tangible effort to address the issue of climate change in a practical way. Redeeming the obligations undertaken by the parties to the Kyoto Protocol is an imperative first step,” he emphasized.
For further information, please contact: Nosh Nalavala, Media Officer, United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (917) 367-2471, e-mail: nalavala@un.org. Website: http://www.un.org/ohrlls/
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