Rich countries must pay! Poor people must have a say — Action Aid

Here’s a news release from Action Aid, an international anti-poverty institution, that might be useful for the coverage of issues tackled right now at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali.

Rich Countries Line up Against the Poor on Climate Change Adaptation Funding

Rich countries lined up at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali against the poor, pushing for Adaptation Funding to be under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), while many of the negotiators from the most vulnerable developing countries resisted the mechanism. The primary criticism of the GEF has been the lengthy and complex rules and procedures that hinder access to the funds.

“Poor people are forgotten and entirely marginalised from the debate at the conference. We are watching! We demand an independent governing body for the Adaptation Fund. We insist that this fund be entirely separate from the GEF, as many representatives of the most vulnerable countries have lost faith in the ability of the GEF as an adaptation funding mechanism” said Ilana Solomon, ActionAid spokesperson on adaptation funding in Bali on Friday. Despite the criticisms of the most vulnerable countries, the GEF has continued a hard lobby for management of the fund.

During discussion in a contact group on technology transfer the rich countries also tried to stall the debate and undermine the poor counties on adaptation needs in terms of advocating for their right to technology transfer. The rich countries refused to accept the developing countries’ stance that both the Adaptation Fund mechanism and technology transfer need to be reviewed under the ambit of the Subsidiary Body Implementation (SBI). They claimed that these are not implementation issues. “Technology transfer is a crucial building block for both mitigation and adaptation in developing countries”, said Solomon.

Actionaid, an international anti poverty agency that is closely monitoring the negotiation process, has warned that the rich countries should not stall the COP13 negotiation process thus damaging the interests of the poor.

Actionaid demands that the Adaptation Fund and technology transfer meets the needs of those who need it most.

ActionAid says it is unfair to hound the poor countries to accept GEF as the proper forum for Adaptation Funding through intense pressure.

Notes for Editors

The G 77 speaking on behalf of the developing countries and China called for review of the financial mechanism and expressed deep concern over the huge difference between the funding available and the funding required under the financial mechanisms of the convention. The G77 said unless this gap is bridged, the objectives of the convention cannot be met. However, the United States, Japan and the European Union and their allies have been blocking this review by stating that the review should be done without considering whether or not GEF is an appropriate institution to implement the financial mechanisms of the convention. The G77, especially the LDCs, in a statement said under GEF, even the inadequate funds would be difficult to access due to complicated procedures and bureaucratic hurdles.

The G77 including China in a statement have clearly stated that there are several barriers to tech transfer – the major ones being IPR and finances. They are also stating clearly that tech transfer must be facilitated within a specified framework that is time bound and can be monitored for effective implementation. However, on the other hand rich countries including USA, Japan and EU are stalling discussion by repeatedly stating that this discussion should be taking place within the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advise stream of the Convention, which does not deal with implementation issues, otherwise dealt under SBI. The rich countries are also saying that these issues be taken up under the review of the Kyoto Protocol’s article 9, that is yet to begin.

ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 40 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty and injustice together. ActionAid works is working with communities to help them reduce disaster risk through climate change adaptation and is part of the Climate Change Action Network (CAN). www.actionaid.org

Contacts

Ilana Solomon, Spokesperson on Adaptation Fund mechanism
+62-81-353006039, Email: ilana.solomon@actionaid.org

Shafqat Munir, Media person in Bali
+62-81-338918096 and +92-300-5003959 Email: shafmunir@gmail.com

Colm O’Cuanachain, Team leader in Bali:
+62-81-338918094 and +353868354189 Emails: colm.ocuanchain@actionaid.org

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