Bangkok--29 Oct--Greenpeace
The Coalition on ASEAN for a Fair, Ambitious and Binding Climate Deal (A-FAB), composed of the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace and Oxfam called on ASEAN leaders to show their commitment in dealing with the problem of climate change by taking more decisive action and stronger positioning in the coming climate talks in Cancun.
The A-FAB Coalition issued the statement after participating in the ASEAN Pre-Summit Briefing organised by the ASEAN secretariat and Vietnam in cooperation with World Bank and Global Learning Centre early this week. During the Pre-Summit Briefing, the coalition representatives asked Dr. Surin how ASEAN can protect its economic development goals in the region from the impact of climate change. It also inquired on the role the regional formation intends to play in the coming UNFCCC negotiations in Cancun.
“Dr. Surin’s response that climate change is high on ASEAN’s agenda is most welcome, coming as it did from no less than Sec. General Surin Pitsuwan. We have to emphasize, however, that this statement will have little meaning unless ASEAN comes out with concrete plans of how it intends to address the crisis, which affects 563 ASEAN million peoples,” said Shalimar Vitan of Oxfam International.
“We believe that a critical part of this is ASEAN’s participation in the UNFCCC climate talks. Here ASEAN needs to strengthen its engagement by negotiating as a solid bloc. It must also prove its relevance by substantiating its positions and agreeing on a clear agenda for the negotiations,” said Atty. Zelda Soriano of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
The A-FAB Coalition asserts that with the advent of the new ASEAN Charter, the regional grouping is actually in a stronger negotiating position if it can get its act together in time.
“The Charter is a legally-binding document which transformed ASEAN from a loose organization into a rules-based body and provides a clear legal framework for incorporating ASEAN decisions into the national legislation and policy of member countries,” said Atty. Zelda Soriano.
The A-FAB Coalition also stressed that ASEAN governments have already created their own regional platform called the ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI) to address the particular vulnerability of the region to climate change; and to advance the region’s common interests and priorities in future deals and negotiations.
“It is no longer enough for ASEAN governments to issue vague motherhood statements and do little else. ASEAN now has the legal obligation to deliver on its commitments. This includes its commitments under the ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI),” emphasized Atty. Zelda Soriano
The two-hour dialogue was broadcasted from Ha Noi and was participated in by members of the academe and researchers, representatives from civil society organizations, and members of the media.
For more information:
Zelda DT Soriano, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, +63 917 594 9424
Riza Bernabe, Oxfam, +63 910 579 9287