Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia 29 Nov 09;
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Commonwealth leaders have thrown their full support behind the United Nations climate talks in Copenhagen next month.
At their summit in Trinidad and Tobago, all 53 member states pledged their commitment to seal a legally binding agreement, aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
World leaders need to agree on stringent cuts that have to be in place by the end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
It is a big boost for the climate meeting, as the Commonwealth nations represent two billion people - a third of the world's population.
The Commonwealth summit is the last international gathering before the Copenhagen talks.
The leaders issued their statement after a special session on climate change with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen.
"We, as the Commonwealth representing one-third of the world's population, believe the time for action on climate change has come," said Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. "The clock is ticking to Copenhagen, we've achieved one further significant step forward with this communique."
Leaders said a crucial breakthrough in the Commonwealth statement is a resolution on the importance of a "fast start fund" to help poorer nations cope with climate change.
The proposed Copenhagen Launch Fund aims to start in 2010 and build to US$10 billion annually by 2012.
Leaders also agreed that 10 per cent of this fund should immediately go towards helping small island states which are most vulnerable to rising sea levels.
There is overall optimism about the upcoming Copenhagen summit, a stark contrast from a few weeks back when talks looked set to derail because countries could not agree on standards. Now, the target for a full legally binding climate change treaty is no later than 2010.
Leaders from about 90 countries have confirmed that they will be attending the UN climate change summit in Denmark next month.
The Danish Prime Minister and the UN Secretary-General have welcomed the Commonwealth declaration.
Mr Ban said: "We need the leadership and commitment of all the leaders and as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I will continue to devote all my energy and time under my authority to make this - seal the deal in Copenhagen, which has very serious implications for the future of our humanity and for the future of our planet."
UN Chief Ban has spent the past two days trying to shore up support from Commonwealth leaders, including Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Ban's call on Mr Lee, which lasted for about half an hour, saw both leaders discussing the Copenhagen meeting, which the Singapore PM has said he will attend.
Singapore has pledged its full backing for a successful outcome in Copenhagen.
However, the city-state's position is that any treaty or political declaration must take into account the different circumstances among different countries.
For example, there are no energy sources such as hydro or nuclear energy in Singapore. Mr Lee has said the country will reduce emissions from a "business-as-usual" level provided other countries also commit to do their part in a global deal.
There is also general consensus that developed nations should lead the way as they are the largest emitters of greenhouse gas.
Separately, PM Lee took the opportunity to brief Commonwealth leaders on the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore next year.
He gave a presentation to delegates providing insights into areas such as the Olympic Village, sporting events, cultural education programme and the YOG torch journey.
Mr Lee invited Commonwealth countries to send their best youth athletes to the Games.
Later in the day, Mr Lee had a bilateral meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed.
- CNA/yb
