Accountable governance

[08.12.2008 09:41] Kenyan officials fail to attend climate talks Officials from the government of Kenya have failed to attend the critical talks of climaten change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) forteenth Conference of Parties (COP 14) in Poznan, Poland. This is the CSO statement condemning the situation. "Our attention has been drawn to the above situation, whereby the government of Kenya, through the Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources, Hon. John Michuki, has suspended Kenya’s participation in the ongoing international dialogue on climate change. In effect, the government has blocked the travel to Poznan, Poland of the delegation and climate experts whose task is to negotiate a climate convention on behalf of the government and the people of Kenya at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) fourteenth Conference of Parties (COP 14/MOP 4). We are deeply dismayed by this decision, which is not only irresponsible, but tantamount to sabotaging the prospects of a fair and equitable climate deal that would support communities in Kenya and other parts of Africa that are currently suffering under the adverse impacts of climate change. We note that Kenya is a key actor in these negotiations, and our absence at negotiation segments such as the G77 and China as well as the African Group is conspicuous. Climate change is a present reality in the world today, and is being experienced by communities here in Kenya. While it is a threat to all societies and ecosystems, climate change poses the biggest threat to people living in poverty in countries of the South and for many their lives and livelihoods are at stake. The negotiations for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have already begun and are scheduled to last until December 2009 (Copenhagen Conference of Parties). This gives us a narrow –less than one year- window of opportunity to influence the outcome in favour of developing countries. Our experience with other global negotiations, particularly the WTO process teaches us that poor countries do not stand a chance of getting heard unless they stand united in their demands and able to claim the moral high ground. This is why our government must heed our call to ensure a strong representation at such negotiations, and as such, the Hon. Minister for Environment and Mineral resources should rescind his decision and ensure that Kenya is adequately represented in UNFCCC-COP14/MOP4. While it is our desire as the civil society to constructively engage other stakeholders to collectively search for the most practicable way to deal with the visible impacts of climate change such as the floods in Western Kenya and droughts which have become a common phenomenon in our country, we urge responsibility and action from our government." For more information, contact: • Dr. Kanywithia Mutunga, Tel.: 0721 222 828, • Mithika Mwenda, Tel.: 0724 403 555 • Mohamed Adow, Tel.: 0722 506 605. Printable version Tip a friend about this article

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