Obama launches climate change forum, COP 15
Release Date: 2009-03-30
The US has invited 16 "major economies" to "help generate the political leadership necessary", beginning at a meeting in Washington in April.
President Barack Obama has invited representatives of 16 "major economies" to discuss energy and climate issues at a series of meetings. The first meeting is to take place in Washington in April.
The White House said in a statement that the "Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate" would "help generate the political leadership necessary" to reach an international agreement later this year to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a US official, the April meeting will likely touch on a range of issues including technology, financing and emissions trading. The talks are to culminate in July with a meeting on the Italian island of La Maddalena off Sardiania, alongside the annual G8 gathering of world leaders.
The parties taking part in the meetings are Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Denmark, which hosts the pivotal UN climate conference in December (COP15), and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are also invited to the Washington talks.
The idea of “major economies” meetings was originally introduced by former US President George W. Bush. It was seen by some as an attempt to obstruct the then international effort to forge a new, global climate agreement.
| Type: | NORMAL |
| Company: | COP 15 |
| Country: | Denmark |
| Url: | http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=993 |