From: WWF
Published May 27, 2008 07:42 AM
Turkey hints at “significant” moves on climate change
Turkey today dropped its strongest hint yet that it will sign up to the
Kyoto Protocol on combating climate change, and will join in international
efforts aimed at cutting greenhouse gasses.
Turkish President Abdullah Gül said he supports the UN plan for the two year
negotiation process agreed in Bali last year, and added “Turkey is now
preparing to undertake its responsibilities. Very significant work is
currently under way so as to enable us to take important steps in the period
ahead.”
Speaking at the opening session of this year's WWF Annual
Conference in Bodrum, President Gül said climate change affects all of us.
“Today, the effects of global climate change are felt in every corner of the
world'” he said. “While people are fighting with drought and water shortage
in some regions, other regions are witnessing pain and destruction brought
about by the effects of tornadoes and floods causing large scale disasters.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its
priority first step, the Kyoto Protocol, are considered to be the most
effective tools for sustainable development.”
But President Gül warned that Turkey's economic and social development must
not be put at risk, and that industrialised countries must also do their
bit. “International cooperation in this field is not a one way street, but
one that is two way. Industrialized countries should take into account the
concerns and expectations of developing countries. Also, developing
countries should draw lessons from the mistakes that were made during
industrialization and progress on the path of sustainable development with
the awareness of their responsibilities to future generations.”
The President's words were echoed by Turkey's Environment Minister Veysel
EroÄŸlu who told the audience of more than 200 delegates: “Climate change is
one of the most important agenda items in the world, and Turkey will be one
of the countries most impacted by climate change. We are committed to our
development but at the same time we are committed to fighting the the
negative impacts of climate change”.
WWF Director General James Leape welcomed the Turkish President's hints that
Turkey could soon ratify the Kyoto Protocol. “The UN climate negotiations
represent our best hope of mitigating the worst effects of climate
change,”said Mr. Leape. “WWF is honoured that President Gül has chosen to
address this critical issue here at our annual conference, and I am
delighted that Turkey appears to want to play its full part in reaching a
global agreement to combat global warming. It is crucially important that
Turkey now act on that commitment, sign on to the Kyoto protocol and become
a full participant in the international effort to solve this problem.”
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