Climate change

Mwai Kibaki joined other Commonwealth Heads of Government for a special session on climate change; affirming Kenya's commitment to confronting the challenges of climate change.
Meeting in Port of Spain at the twin Caribbean Islands of Trinidad and Tobago, the Commonwealth Heads of Government backed plans for a quick start of climate change Fund starting next year.

In a communiqué issued after a special session on climate change on Friday, the summit noted that an initiative to establish a Copenhagen Launch Fund, starting in 2010 and building to $10 billion annually by 2012, will help poor and vulnerable states fight the effects of global warming.

"We pledge our continued support to the leaders-driven process ... to deliver a comprehensive, substantial and operationally binding agreement in Copenhagen leading towards a full legally binding outcome no later than 2010," the declaration said.

In issuing a communiqué the Commonwealth leaders have shown their support to push the world to reach a comprehensive deal on targeting green house gas emissions at the Copenhagen conference next month.

Also in attendance during the special session on climate change were non Commonwealth leaders such as United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Commonwealth leaders agreed to support the fund which is aimed at helping countries most at risk to adapt to climate change.

The fund is expected to set aside at least 10 per cent towards smaller islands and low lying countries.

The Commonwealth Climate Change declaration pledged the group's support backing for Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in his efforts to secure wide attendance and commitment from world leaders at the Copenhagen climate talks.

Addressing the special session the Prime Minister of Denmark said leaders need to meet the challenge of climate change by agreeing on an ambitious and binding agreement that builds on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

He noted that while fighting climate change, developed nations need to take into account and respect developing countries rights to economic and social development.

He,therefore, said Copenhagen summit needs to provide for an immediate and comprehensive global effort to curb the negative impacts of climate change

On Saturday night, Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II hosted a dinner for Heads of State and Government of the Commonwealth.

President Mwai Kibaki who is in Trinidad and Tobago for the CHOGM Summit was among leaders who attended the dinner.

Earlier while opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Her Majesty the queen called on the world leaders to reach consensus on the issue of climate change.

The Queen said while the environmental threat is not new, it's now a global challenge which will affect security and stability in the years ahead.

She pointed to the fact that most of the countries under threat are the most vulnerable and are least able to withstand the adverse effects of climate change.

Her Majesty expressed hope that the Commonwealth member states will also chart the way forward for the 60 year old institution to remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the current generation.