For Immediate Release
Contact: Raymond Chavez (202) 296-9676
ST. LUCIAN PREMIER CONFIRMED FOR CLIMATE TALKS
WASHINGTON, DC (November 7, 2000) - St. Lucia's prime minister,
Dr. Kenny Anthony, will carry the flag of the Caribbean, the
Pacific and other island nations at the World Conference on
Climate Change (COP VI) in the Hague this month (November 13-24).
Dr. Anthony, a champion for the sustainable development of small
island developing states, is likely to be the ranking foreign
visitor attending the important meeting which seeks international
agreement to reduce greenhouse gases emitted by industrialized
countries. Scientists have confirmed that these climate changing
emissions, which have lead to the warming of the earth's
atmosphere, are partly responsible for the deadly storms, floods,
droughts and rising sea levels that have plagued the planet of
late.
At the request of Counterpart, a leading non-governmental
organization, Dr. Anthony will highlight the dangers for small
island countries posed by the Earth's rising climate at a special
symposium featuring island political leaders and representatives
from civil society.
The prime minister is expected to highlight the threats of
climate change to the shorelines of island nations as many
islanders live in coastal areas and are vulnerable to even small
changes in the sea level. Beach erosion is another area of
concern to tourism, an industry that is increasingly
important to island economies.
Dr. Anthony will urge the international community to implement
the promises made at the 1994 UN Conference on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States, held in Barbados.
St. Lucia has already declared its intention to become the
world's first renewable energy island nation. The nation's prime
minister will declare that his country's bold move will
show how much can be accomplished with modest resources – if
there is the political will and cooperation.
At the Hague, Counterpart will partner with the Climate
Institute, Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced
Environment (GLOBE), Denmark's Forum for Energy and Development,
the Centre for Science and Environment, Climate Network Africa,
and the Global Commons Institute, to produce the parallel
event on November 16, 2000.
"Dr. Anthony's decision to attend COP VI has already stirred much
discussion around the UN system, because he could be the only
Head of Government at that stage of the global climate talks,"
said Counterpart Vice President, Lelei LeLaulu. "Prime Minister
Anthony's presence at such an important international event could
place St. Lucia and other island nations at a level which would
make it very difficult for the bigger nations to avoid,"
he added.
Founded in 1965 as the Foundation for the Peoples of the South
Pacific, Counterpart International is a nonprofit development
organization committed to building civil societies and advancing
human development throughout the world. Through its "smart
partnership" philosophy, Counterpart has joined hands with
strategic partners in the public, private, NGO and donor
communities, resulting in successful environmental, social and
economic development programs in more than 60 countries.
ENDS
****************************************************************
To post a submission by email at climate-newswire@sidsnet.org
To unsubscribe, email to majordomo@sidsnet.org with the message:
unsubscribe climate-newswire
To receive updates via email, send an email to majordomo@sidsnet.org with the message:
subscribe climate-newswire
No SUBJECTS required either case.
Brought to you on the SMALL Island Developing States Network: http://www.sidsnet.org
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Nov 07 2000 - 12:01:56 EST