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Statement by H.E.Ambassador Wang Min, Deputy Pernament Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, at Security Council 's Open Debate on Maintenance of International Peace and Security:Impact of Climate Change

2011-07-20 22:29

 

I thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his statement and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Mr. Steiner, for his briefing. China supports the statement to be made by the representative of Argentina on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Global climate change is a common challenge of all countries that is profoundly affecting human survival and development. In recent years, all countries have made efforts towards protecting the global environment and responding to climate change, with notable results. But resolving climate change and achieving sustainable development remain pressing and long-term tasks that require all countries to continue their unremitting efforts.

Responding to climate change is in the interest of all countries worldwide, in particular of the majority of developing countries and for the well-being of their peoples. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol have been commonly accepted as major channels for responding to climate change. The principle of common but differentiated responsibility has become a basis for all parties to strengthen cooperation. Sustainable development and harmony between human beings and nature have common goals for all parties.

Climate change might have some security impact, but it is fundamentally a sustainable development issue. The Security Council lacks expertise in climate change and the necessary means and resources. Moreover, the Council is not a forum for decision-making with universal participation. Its discussions are not aimed at putting together a broadly accepted programme, nor can they take the place of the UNFCCC negotiations among the 193 United Nations Member States. It is the general belief of the majority of developing countries that the Council’s discussion on climate change will neither contribute to the mitigation efforts of countries nor assist affected countries in effectively responding to climate change. This reasonable concern should be fully understood and respected.

In responding to climate change, the international community should give full consideration to the developing countries’stages of development and their basic needs and take note of their difficult situations. It should listen to their voices, respect their demands and effectively carry out its own commitments relating to capital, technology and capacity-building.

China attaches great importance to the concerns of the small island developing States on climate change. As a country with many islands, China has compassion for the difficulties encountered by small island developing States in their efforts towards sustainable development. The international community should adopt effective measures to assist small island developing States in responding to the challenges of climate change. Developed countries should especially honor their commitments on capital, technology and capacity-building. China would like to work together with small island developing States to continue to actively implement the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States in order to facilitate sustainable development around the world.

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