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UN Climate Change News, July 9, 2021– The virtual thematic sessions of Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2021 concluded today, sending a strong signal that the regional momentum on climate can contribute to the success of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP26 by November in Glasgow.
The Asia-Pacific region emits more than half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and is one of the fastest growing regions of the world, with a significant proportion of the world’s population. And it’s home to most low-lying towns and vulnerable small island states.
At the end of the sessions, Ms.Keiko Segawa, Deputy Director General of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment said: “The Asia-Pacific region is expected to play a leading role in global decarbonization and strengthen its resilience as a key driver of global economic growth over the coming decades… Japan is committed to achieving net zero emissions of ‘by 2050, to lead global efforts towards carbon neutrality and accelerate concrete climate actions in the Asia-Pacific region.
Speaking at the closing press conference, UN Climate Change Deputy Executive Secretary Ovais Sarmad said: “With COP26 in less than five months, we are at a crucial moment. Many countries are now developing new Nationally determined contributions – national climate action plans within the framework of Paris Agreement. This year will determine whether we can get on track to meet the goals set in Paris. APCW 2021 is taking place in a period of optimism and momentum, and the collaboration here leads to the success of COP 26. ”
For three days, the main organizing partners held discussions on crucial themes to face the global climate emergency:
- The World Bank has examined economy-wide approaches for a sustainable and green recovery.
- UNDP explored how climate risk and climate solutions are reshaping different sectors.
- UNEP has rethought the future and looked at the behaviors, technologies and funding that get us there.
On the last day of APCW 2021, the COP26 Presidency organized a series of events in preparation for COP 26 in Glasgow in November. Ken O’Flaherty, COP26 Regional Ambassador to Asia-Pacific and South Asia, said: ““Climate action in the Asia-Pacific region is essential to limit global warming to 1.5 ° C. Countries in the region are already affected by climate change and will need to adapt and build their resilience for the future. The APCW has provided an important opportunity for stakeholders to seize the remaining opportunities and challenges to tackle climate change in a wide range of areas ”.
The host government of Japan brought together governments at all levels, private sector leaders, academic experts and regional stakeholders. Approximately 3,700 people from 158 countries registered for the meeting and over 2,800 participants attended a total of 139 virtual sessions.
The APCW 2021 high-level event will ensure that the results of the virtual thematic sessions are captured and framed in the broader context of COP26.
Next steps for COP26 include the next Africa Climate Week now scheduled for September and a high-level event scheduled for October.
Other quotes:
Victoria KwaKwa, Vice President, East Asia and Pacific, World Bank, said: “During Asia Pacific Climate Week, we heard repeatedly that a transition to low carbon economies must prioritize energy, land transitions and mainstream sustainability, social inclusion and poverty reduction. At the World Bank, we are committed to helping countries prepare and implement actions to tackle climate change and achieve green, resilient and inclusive development.
Dechen Tsering, Director, Asia and Pacific Office, United Nations Environment Program, said: “The need for stronger partnerships to overcome the three plenary crises was underscored during Asia-Pacific Climate Week. We are the last generation who can stop climate collapse, massive loss of biodiversity and the challenge of pollution. UNEP is committed to helping countries in the region realize their climate ambition to achieve concrete results at COP26 and realize our shared commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Mr. Christophe Bahuet, Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and Director of the Bangkok Regional Center, United Nations Development Program, said: “Asia-Pacific Climate Week has shown us once again that inclusiveness is at the heart of effective and sustainable climate policy. At UNDP, we will continue to work with countries in the region to ensure that the implementation and improvement of NDCs include the voices of all stakeholders, especially those who are the most marginalized and most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and create space for all to be part of these essential climate solutions. ”
Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary, said: “By strengthening the momentum for economic and social recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries in the Asia-Pacific region have this unique opportunity to move forward together in the development and implementation of ” Ambitious national low-carbon actions and economy-wide approaches, and reorienting financial flows towards decarbonising consumption and production, and improving nature-based solutions and rural resilience and urban. ESCAP stands ready to help Asia-Pacific lead the race to net zero in 2050.”
Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Action, said: “This week has shown that there is a lot of determination in the Asia-Pacific region to take ambitious climate action. But support for developing countries in the region is essential so that they can accelerate the decarbonization of their economies and protect people and livelihoods from growing, more frequent and catastrophic climate impacts. The US $ 100 billion pledge made by developed countries more than a decade ago must be honored. We have no time to waste. No effort should be spared to keep the 1.5 degree target of the Paris Agreement within reach in order to avoid even more dangerous and deadly climate impacts in the Asia-Pacific region.
ABOUT REGIONAL CLIMATE WEEKS
Organized annually in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa, Regional Climate Weeks are collaborative platforms for government and non-Party stakeholders to address climate issues under one roof and one goal unit. Bringing together various stakeholders from the public and private sectors around a common goal of combating climate change is the main objective of the Regional Climate Weeks.
APCW 2021 ORGANIZERS
APCW 2021 is hosted by the Government of Japan and organized in collaboration with global and regional partners – United Nations Development Program, United Nations Environment Program, World Bank Group, Asian Bank of Development (AfDB), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
ABOUT the UNFCCC
With 197 Parties, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has near universal membership and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Paris is to keep an increase in global average temperature this century well below 2 degrees Celsius and to step up efforts to limit the increase in temperature even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels. The UNFCCC is also the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The ultimate goal of all agreements under the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent interference. dangerous human impact with the climate system, within a time frame that allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development.
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