Ministers jointly inaugurate a TROIKA under UNFCCC

The Ministers of Denmark, Mexico and South Africa inaugurated a TROIKA under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) .These Ministers undertook to jointly provide leadership in the negotiations and to push for consensus towards a globally acceptable agreement on climate change.

Every year since 1995, when the first UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP1) took place in Germany, various member states have been taking turns to host the climate conference.  The objective of the annual meeting of the parties is to assess progress in dealing with climate change and to negotiate further actions by different countries according to their respective capabilities and responsibilities. 

Mainly developed countries are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while assisting developing countries to adapt by providing technological and financial support. Last year, in December 2009, the UNFCCC held its 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) in Denmark, while this year the conference (COP16) will be held in Mexico.  South Africa will then be the next in line to host the UNFCCC (COP17), in December 2011. 

Following COP15 in Denmark and the importance of taking talks forward, and in the  light of the potential impact of climate change particularly to vulnerable developing countries, the Ministers of Environment of Denmark, Mexico and South Africa committed themselves to provide necessary leadership and guidance to the ongoing UNFCCC negotiation process.

They intend achieving this through establishment of the TROIKA under the UNFCCC, aimed at facilitating close cooperation among the three governments. As part of this, parties will also be encouraged to contribute to the attainment of desired progress (such as reaching an agreement on crucial decisions regarding climate change) at COP16 in Mexico, and to further achieve concrete decisions to be agreed upon during COP17 in South Africa next year.  

 For more details on Climate Change contact:

 Chris Moseki: WRC Research Manager: Water Resource Management

 Tel: 012 330 9030

 E-mail: chrism@wrc.org.za