ASEAN chief hopes Asia as agent of change for climate
ASEAN chief hopes Asia as agent of change for climate
18:05, November 09, 2009 
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The Association of the Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) supports Asia as the agent of change for the climate, the top official of the body said on Monday.
"It will be catastrophe if we do nothing," the ASEAN's Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan told ambassadors for the body in a briefing.
According to Surin, sea level has increased 70 percent compared to years ago while at least 80 percent of the world's populations live in coastal line.
He took example of countries that have done something to reduce the increasing effect of climate change.
"South Korea has been using green energy for transportation while China is starting to improve energy efficient and curb the rise of CO2 emission. India has provided 5 million U.S. dollars for green fund in an agreement with ASEAN. So, I think Asia could be the agent of change," said Surin.
In the statement following the 15th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am Hua Hin in Thailand on Oct. 23-25, the organization said that it underscored the need of the body to work closely together with other partners for a successful Copenhagen Conference of State Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
It reaffirmed its position that parties to the UNFCCC should protect the climate system on the basis of equality and in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective national circumstances and capabilities.
The ASEAN also said that it acknowledged the importance of the inclusion of an integrated coastal and ocean management approach to prepare for and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, as reflected in the Manado Ocean Declaration resulting from the World Ocean Conference in May.
Source: Xinhua
"It will be catastrophe if we do nothing," the ASEAN's Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan told ambassadors for the body in a briefing.
According to Surin, sea level has increased 70 percent compared to years ago while at least 80 percent of the world's populations live in coastal line.
He took example of countries that have done something to reduce the increasing effect of climate change.
"South Korea has been using green energy for transportation while China is starting to improve energy efficient and curb the rise of CO2 emission. India has provided 5 million U.S. dollars for green fund in an agreement with ASEAN. So, I think Asia could be the agent of change," said Surin.
In the statement following the 15th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am Hua Hin in Thailand on Oct. 23-25, the organization said that it underscored the need of the body to work closely together with other partners for a successful Copenhagen Conference of State Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
It reaffirmed its position that parties to the UNFCCC should protect the climate system on the basis of equality and in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective national circumstances and capabilities.
The ASEAN also said that it acknowledged the importance of the inclusion of an integrated coastal and ocean management approach to prepare for and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, as reflected in the Manado Ocean Declaration resulting from the World Ocean Conference in May.
Source: Xinhua
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