Read at : Google Alert – desertification
http://www.isria.com/pages/3_November_2009_219.php
UN China – Statement by Dr. Liu Yuyin, Chinese Delegate, on Sustainable Development at the Second Committee of the 64th UN General Assembly
Mr. Chairman,
First of all, I wish to thank the Secretary General for his reports on sustainable development. China associates itself with the statement made by the Sudan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
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On item 53 (e): Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Desertification is a major issue facing sustainable development of human society. In May this year, CSD had a thorough discussion of the issue of desertification. And in October, the 9th conference of the states parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification was held. The international community should build on this momentum to take effective actions to implement the Convention and increase input in efforts to tackle desertification so as to facilitate the implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Decade. The developed countries must effectively honor their financial commitments to the Convention and come up with adequate, predictable and timely financial resources for the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Decade with a view to making progress in combating desertification.
On item 53 (d): Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind
(continued)
Confronting climate change and achieving sustainable development are an urgent and long-term task. They have a direct bearing on the conditions of human existence and the future of all countries’ development and as such require unremitting efforts from each one of us.
At present, the road to Copenhagen is far from being a smooth ride. Negotiations are bogged down on contention over certain fundamental principles. It all boils down to whether or not to adhere to the Convention, the Protocol and the Bali Roadmap, whether the developed countries should take the lead in reducing emissions, and how to translate into reality the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and the principle of equity.
Mr. Chairman,
The world is looking up to us to make the right choice on the issue of climate change, an issue that puts the human survival and development at stake. Countries are called upon to show a sense of responsibility to their own people and to the human society as a whole, to be firmly grounded in the present while looking forward to the future, to preserve United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol as the main channels, to adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and to stick to the mandate of Bali Roadmap. It is necessary to effectively carry out our responsibilities, promote common development and achieve a win-win outcome for all.
China is one of the countries that are most susceptible to the negative effect of climate change and is currently in an accelerated stage of industrialization and urbanization. We are faced with multiple tasks of economic development, poverty reduction, improvement of our people’s lives and protection of environment. Nevertheless, the Chinese government lays great emphasis on the issue of climate change and, in a show of high degree of responsibility towards long-term human development, has resolutely stayed the course on the road of sustainable development. We have enacted and implemented our National Plan for Coping with Climate Change, adopted effective policies, measures and actions in this respect and made tireless efforts in order to play our part in responding to climate change. On September 22 at the UN Summit on Climate Change, President Hu Jintao of China outlined four measures China will take to further respond to climate change. The Chinese government is ready to continue to work with others to create a better future for coming generations.
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