Bert Koenders, Minister for Development Cooperation for the Government of Netherlands, called for adaptation funding from developed countries to be clearly in addition to ODA commitments. Speaking at a side event organized jointly by the Government of Indonesia and the UN Millennium Campaign, he cautioned that climate change should not become an excuse for developed countries to create more non-tariff barriers.
Mari Pangestu, Minister for Trade, Republic of Indonesia, underlined that development is the common denominator in the trade negotiations under the Doha Round and in the Climate Change discussions in Bali. The impact on the MDGs and poor people should be the touchstone on which we can judge the success of these talks she emphasized.
In his first international appearance, Minister Peter Garrett, reiterated the new Australian Government’s strong commitment to both meeting the MDGs and Climate Change agenda with a particular focus on the Pacific and other neighbouring countries.
Atiq Rahman, key author of the IPCCC Report, and a leading climate change thinker from Bangladesh, reminded the audience that poor people do not have a choice on whether they will address climate change or poverty first.
Salil Shetty, Director, Millennium Campaign, emphasised that the MDGs were absent from the Climate Change discourse in spite of one of the MDGs being focused on environment and climate change.
The event was moderated by the UN Ambassador for MDGs in Asia Pacific with a welcome address from Bambang Widianto, Expert Staff to the Minister of National Development Planning for Human Resources and Poverty Affairs, Government of Indonesia.
Also available for interview at the side event and throughout the UN Conference on Climate Change:
- H.E Erna Witoelar, UN Special Ambassador for MDGS in Asia and The Pacific: Ms Witoelar is a former member of the National Assembly of Indonesia. She currently serves as chairperson of the Indonesia Biodiversity Foundation (KEHATI), co-chair of the Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia, and an Earth Charter Commissioner (based in Costa Rica).
- Minar Pimple, UN Millennium Campaign Deputy Director, Asia: As Deputy Director of the UN Millennium Campaign Asia, Mr Pimple leads the Campaign’s work in Asia Pacific, working with civil society organisations, youth and student organisations, media, local authorities and parliamentarian to facilitate their engagement to hold their governments to account towards fulfilment of MDGS. Since 1977, Minar Pimple, has worked on the issues of poverty and low levels of socio-economic-political development in India sin 1977.
For more information or to arrange interviews with any of the above please contact:
Mandy Kibel, UN Millennium Campaign Deputy Director, Communications,
New York
Tel: +1 212 906 6242 (O)
+1 917 916 1694 (cell)
e-mail: mandy.kibel@undp.org
Wilson T.P. Siahaan, Policy Specialist to UN Ambassador for MDGs in Asia Pacific
Jakarta
Tel.(+62 21) 3141308 (O)
+62 811883929 (cell)
email: wilson.siahaan@undp.org
