IISD - Reporting Services @ Bangkok Climate Change Talks, 31 March 2008

Bangkok Climate Change Talks

31 March - 4 April 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

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The UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Highlights for Monday, 31 March 2008

The first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWGLCA 1) and the fifth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG 5) opened in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday morning with a welcoming ceremony. This was followed by the opening session of the AWG. In the afternoon, delegates convened in the AWGLCA’s opening plenary and started exchanging views on the work programme.

The podium during the opening ceremony.


Sahas Bunditkul, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, identified the need to negotiate “an attractive package” for COP 15.	Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary ESCAP, underscored the need for financial and technical support.	Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Environment, Indonesia, and COP13 President, emphasized that the Bali roadmap must be paved with strong concrete actions and rigorous implementation.


Janusz Zaleski, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Environment, Poland, said the Bangkok meeting should identify issues where work needs to be done and in what order.	Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, stressed the need to respond to the great expectations generated by the Bali outcome and called for progress at both AWGs.

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The media presence during the venue represents the public interest in the climate change talks.	A demonstration took place outside the premises.

AWG Chair Harald Dovland, Norway, opened AWG 5, stressing the task in 2008 to analyze and reach conclusions on means to reach emission reduction targets, including flexible mechanisms, land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), and the basket of greenhouse gases and sectors.

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Thomas Kolly, Switzerland, for the Environmental Integrity Group, highlighted the need for cooperation between the AWGs, as they are linked.	Andrej Kranjc, Slovenia, for the EU, identified the need to address international aviation and maritime transport emissions.	John Ashe, Antigua and Barbuda, for the G-77 /China, expressed concern about suggestions to link the AWG with the new AWGLCA process.


Delegates conversed during a break.

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Luiz Machado, Brazil, the AWGLCA Chair opened AWGLCA 1 and stated it was necessary to advance step-by-step to build a solid basis for agreement.


Harlan Watson, US, called for an effective outcome that is economically sustainable and consistent with sustainable development.	Mariana Alvarez Rodriguez, Argentina, said historical contribution and current circumstances must be considered.	Aysar Ahmed Tayeb, Saudi Arabia, indicated that there is no agreement to supersede the Convention or replace its principles, including the balance of obligations.