Bangkok, Sep. 8 (IANS): A joint platform of developing countries on Saturday called on the developed nations to make a greater commitment towards honouring the Paris Agreement during the Climate Change Conference being held in the Thai capital.
The platform, which brings together around 20 countries including Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba and Venezuela, called for respecting the vital and delicate balance reached in 2015 in Paris, Efe news reported.
Iran’s Majib Shafiepour, a spokesperson for the coalition, expressed disappointment over the position taken by developed nations and their alleged unwillingness to make progress on key issues like the funding required to combat climate change pledged under the Paris Agreement.
As agreed in the landmark 2015 conference, developed countries have to contribute $100 billion annually starting in 2020 to be given to the most disadvantaged nations to fight against climate change and alleviate its effects.
Ecuador’s Walter Schuldt blamed the change in the financial narrative provided by the bloc of developed nations for the delay in the realization of measures.
Part of the funds will be used to alleviate and mitigate the damage and consequences of environmental disasters and to finance adaptation to technological change in developing nations.
“There is a lack of progress and interest on the part of developed countries,” said Bolivia’s Ivan Zambrana. “This indifference creates new obstacles.”
Although no specific developed countries were mentioned by name during the media appearance, a source participating in the meetings told Efe news that the US was the main country hindering the dialogue process.
Although US President Donald Trump announced in June 2017 the withdrawal of his country from the Paris Agreement, the move will not be effective until November 2020.
More than 1,400 delegates from 182 countries are participating in the Bangkok Climate Change Conference from Tuesday to Sunday, the last preparatory meeting before the Climate Summit set to be held in Katowice, Poland in December.
Delegates in Bangkok were also negotiating on a handbook of standards and guidelines that included goals, schedules and policies for countries to reduce their emissions of polluting gases responsible for global warming, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
