PRESS RELEASE: PRIME MINISTER ST LUCIA ENCOURAGES PRO-ACTIVE ROLE
BY WORLD LEADERS IN CRITICAL CLIMATE TALKS
Contact: Samira Cherrouk
Amsterdam, 12 November 2000-- The presence of Saint Lucia's Head
of Government at this week's climate talks in Holland will
certainly increase the profile of the Caribbean island nation in
this part of Europe -- but it may also nudge other world leaders
to take a more pro-active role in the critical climate talks.
A diplomat long associated with the United Nations efforts to
agree a binding international convention on what countries should
do to reduce the levels of climate changing emission asserted
"Prime Minister Kenny Anthony's appearance at COP6 may force
other world leaders into taking a lead on these
critical climate issues".
"For too long, these talks have been confined to technocrats --
it should be taken up by the leaders because we do not have much
time," the diplomat added.
A European politician also remarked that Saint Lucia's cause
regarding the import of its bananas to Europe will be well-served
by its Prime Minister's high profile visit to the continent.
Counterpart International, an organizer of the Prime Minister's
visit confirmed that the Dutch Government had asked for a
last-minute session with Prime Minister Anthony.
Prime Minister Anthony is delivering the keynote address at a
special event highlighting St. Lucia's pioneering role as the
first nation to commit to moving away from a dependence on
expensive fossil fuel imports for its energy generation. The
multi-billion-dollar internaional alternative energy industry is
carefully monitoring the COP6 talks in he Dutch capital.
Counterpart, the Climate Institute, the Global Commons Institute
and the Forum for Energy and Development, are hosting the special
event focussing on the special vulnerabbilities of small island
states to the effects of climate change.
ENDS
Samira Cherrouk
Communications Associate
Counterpart International
tel: 202-296-9676
fax: 202-296-9679
e-mail: scherrouk@counterpart.org
SOURCE: Counterpart International
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