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WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (KUNA) -- A senior US official welcomed on Tuesday the
Cancun agreement over climate change saying it is "fundamentally consistent"
with US objectives.
"The resulting Cancun agreement advances each of the core elements of the
Copenhagen Accord. Specifically, it anchors the accord's mitigation pledges by
both developed and developing countries in a parallel manner," said Special
envoy for climate change Todd Stern in a press briefing about the outcome of
the United Nations climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico.
"It outlines a system of transparency with substantial detail and content,
including international consultations and analysis, this will provide
confidence that a country's pledges are being carried out and help the world
keep track of the track that we are on in terms of reducing emissions," he
added.
Representatives from more than 190 nations met in Cancun over the last two
weeks for the 16th conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate change. The Cancun agreement launches a new green climate fund and a
framework to reduce deforestation in developing countries in addition to a
committee to promote international cooperation.
Stern said that the Cancun agreement is fundamentally consistent with US
objectives and noted that the United States is pleased that the parties showed
the flexibility and pragmatism that was necessary to make progress in each of
these areas.
"This package obviously is not going to solve climate change by itself, but
it is a very good step and a step that is very much consistent with US
interests, and will help move the world down a path toward a broader global
response to changing to stopping climate change," he added.
Stern further praised the constructive role of India in Cancun mentioning
that India was very much faithful to its own national interests and faithful
to its role in the G-77, but at the same time creatively looking for solutions
to difficult issues in the negotiation in a way that could bring in developing
countries. He said developing countries "are not a monolithic group at this
point." (end)
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KUNA 142300 Dec 10NNNN