Mexico’s former President Felipe Calderon said Peru’s leadership in the international arena raises the chances of achieving tangible progress at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP20) scheduled for December in Lima, Peru.
“Economically speaking, Peru’s leadership role as successful developing country generates confidence in many poor developing nations, which slightly increases the possibility of reaching an international agreement,” he told Andina News Agency.
Calderón is in the Peruvian capital attending ‘Lima Climate Finance Week’ opened today as a space where linkages between different actors – those in the public, private, and non-governmental sectors – can be built and strengthened to scale up fnancial resources to tackle climate change.
Besides, last night he delivered the keynote lecture 'The New Climate Economy' as chairman of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, set up to help governments, businesses and society make better-informed decisions on climate change crucial issues.
The said event was attended by Peru’s Minister of Environment Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, who highlighted Calderón’s role as Mexico’s president to redirect the debate on climate change at the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Cancun.
As for the expectations regarding COP20, the former Mexican leader stressed that if agreement is not reached, the 20th session should at least pave the way for subsequent consensus towards an international agreement in Paris in 2015.
In his speech on New Climate Economy, Calderón addressed the audience to rally support for rejecting the false belief that there is a dilemma between taking action against climate change and promoting economic growth.
He said it is possible to promote economic growth, development and poverty alleviation, and at the same time pursue climate change action.
(END) EGZ/ASH/RMB
Published: 8/26/2014