May 15, 2006 Introduction
Distinguished delegates, honoured guests, ladies
and gentlemen, it is my great privilege as President
of the Conference of Parties to welcome all of
you to the sessions of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change subsidiary body sessions
and related meetings for 2006.
May I begin by thanking His Excellency Mr. Sigmar
Gabriel, Federal Minister for the Environment,
Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany
for joining us here today.
I would also like to offer my sincere good wishes
on behalf of all of us to His Excellency Mr. Kivutha
Kibwana, the Minister for Environment and Natural
Resources of Kenya, whose country will be hosting
the upcoming sessions of the COP and the COP/MOP
in Nairobi in November.
I hosted a dinner last night for our Bureau
and Secretariat and had the opportunity to visit
with Minister Kibwana. He shared with me the challenges
he faces as Environment Minister in Kenya and
I shared with him the challenges I face in Canada.
In Canadas Artic region, the changes noted
by the Inuit communitysuch as melting permafrost,
changes in sea ice and the arrival of new migratory
animal species has raised the need to address
adaptation measures.
I had the unique opportunity to host a UNFCCC
workshop in my hometown of Edmonton for adaptation
where we had 70 countries represented.
It became clear to me in my conversation with
Minister Kibwana that while all of us face unique
issues in our own countries we also have incredible
opportunities to work together and share similar
commitments. Kenya and Canada share a commitment
to the conservation of our wildlife and our national
parks.
We are all particularly thankful for the generosity
of Kenya in hosting our next meeting and sincerely
want to thank Minister Kibwana for being here
with us to show the commitment of his government
to hosting the next COP meeting in Nairobi.
I am pleased to be here today to open the first
session of the Open dialogue and the Ad Hoc working
Group sessions.
This is the beginning of an important step to
shaping the future dialogue in the international
effort to address climate change.
We all recognize that if we are to find truly
global solutions to address climate change we
must develop long-term approaches and recognize
that all of us have a part to play in the solution.
This is the opportunity before you and I encourage
you to seize this opportunity to create an inclusive
dialogue that will bring together all countries
in a way that will allow a sharing of information
and best practices between all global approaches.
All of the countries represented here face their
own unique challenges.
All of you are equally aware of these challenges.
Nevertheless, the issue of climate change cannot
be addressed without effective international cooperation.
We need to start discussing here today how we
can best work together to enhance our future efforts.
There are many options, considerations and view
points about how the international community should
move forward.
The situation that each country faces is unique.
Each countrys stage of development, levels and
sources of emissions, vulnerabilities, adaptation
needs and the make up of their economies all differ.
But future international cooperation has the
potential to do more than reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
If we are innovative, we can do it in a way
that also delivers significant co-benefits such
as cleaner air and improved health.
With an emphasis on new and emerging technologies,
international cooperation on climate change can
be a key driver of sustainable economic development.
For all of the delegates here today, our task
is clear
Under the Convention Dialogue, we are to find
new ways to work together that can stimulate sustainable
development, effectively address the issue of
adaptation, realize the full potential of technology,
and fully utilize all of the policy tools available
to us.
We must find new ways to accomplish all of these
goals so we can effectively tap all of the opportunities
that exist, given the diversity of circumstances.
This will be a huge challenge.
This task will not be easy or accomplished quickly.
A full discussion amongst Parties will be necessary.
Every country must be heard. New ideas that are
emerging around the world must be brought into
these discussions.
Fortunately this Dialogue provides us with the
forum that we weed to undertake this challenge.
The Ad Hoc Working Group is tasked with looking
forward within the context of the Kyoto Protocol.
It is time to take stock of our experience to
date, and to explore new options with open minds.
This kind of review and assessment can inform
our discussions about the future.
All Parties will need to engage constructively
in this process.
Let me leave you with this
The work you are doing here provides an important
opportunity to shape the future.
It is my sincere hope that delegates will take
full advantage of this opportunity to have the
open discussions that will be needed if we are
to continue to make progress towards achieving
the ultimate objective of the convention.
I look forward to the results of your deliberations
when they are reported in Nairobi next fall.
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
again, may I thank you and wish you well in coming
weeks.
