Day 8: Ban Ki-Moon Joins Climate Talks

Tuesday marked the beginning of the high-level segment of COP18 which was graced with the presence of both H.H. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar and H.H. Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait. Both monarchs outlined their expectations for the outcomes of the UN climate talks with a focus on achieving balance between appropriate levels of action to address climate change and providing developing countries the flexibility and support to build their economies.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon also address the conference, as he reiterated the importance of an extension of the Kyoto Protocol, sufficient allocations of finance to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), progress on raising mitigation ambitions consistent with limiting global warming to below two degrees.

Further statements from ministers will continue into Wednesday and Thursday.

Outside of the high-level segment, negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol, closure of the long-term co-operative action tracks and Durban Platform continued. The United Kingdom emerged as a new leader on the issue of climate change finance being the first, and so far the only, developed country to confirm the allocation of money to the GCF.

The UNFCCC also showcased their Momentum for Change lighthouse projects, which included a rapid bus transit system from China. UNEP Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab region, Ragheb Alama, performed for delegates providing a refreshing injection of liveliness into the usually sombre UN talks.

By Michael Mazengarb, photo by Laura Owsianka.