INTERVENTION BY
HON. REDLEY KILLION
VICE PRESIDENT OF
THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
AT THE
HIGH-LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION
ON ADAPTATION
COP-10, UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Buenos Aires, December 16, 2004
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Chairman, Panel Members,
Honorable Ministers and Other Heads of Delegation,
Distinguished Delegates
It is appropriate that, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Convention, we should re-commit ourselves to the core objectives of the Convention, as stated in Article 2 of the Convention, and the Kyoto Protocol, particularly on the urgent issues of adaptation and mitigation. For COP-10 to be truly considered as the "Adaptation COP," Micronesia strongly urges that this particular COP adopts the following measures relating to adaptation:
First, the eligibility criteria, terms and conditions of all adaptation funds be streamlined and consistent with the guidance decisions of the Conference of the Parties. The efforts of the small island countries such as Micronesia have been hampered by the addition of rules and procedures that makes it all the more difficult for Micronesia and other small island states to access such funding sources. Moreover, we are particularly concerned about the proposed framework for resource allocation being considered by the Global Environment Facility.
Second, we urge that the issue of response measures be kept apart from or treated independently of the issue of adaptation, considering that the response measures issue does not fall within the mandate of the agenda item 3 of this conference. Moreover, it is our view that linking response measures with adaptation to climate changes is likely to dilute the significance of both issues.
Third, insofar as our efforts in implementing adaptation measures may be hindered by the absence of universal acceptance of and support for the Kyoto Protocol, my country renews its call on those countries that have not done so, particularly the major emitters of greenhouse gases, to ratify the Protocol at the earliest opportunity, as the Russian Federation has done.
Mr Chairman, as a small island developing state, my country is most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, which we are already experiencing. Therefore, as pointed out by the Honorable Minister of Bangladesh, it is imperative that we move quickly beyond assessment into concrete adaptation projects. Toward this end, my country is making concerted efforts to integrate the impacts of climate change into our sustainable development strategies, thus making us ready to implement adaptation projects.
In concluding, Mr Chairman, I would like to reiterate that we seize the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Convention to take bold and concrete actions at this COP-10 on the issue of adaptation as outlined above. In doing this, we will achieve a major milestone in our efforts and more importantly, we will meet a significant part of our obligation to the present and future generations of mankind - by saving the planet from the scourges of climate change.
Thank you very much.
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