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| Fri, 18th Nov 2022 14:59:00 |
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As COP27 deadline slips, UN chief urges negotiators to aim for ‘maximum ambition’ on loss and damage |
The 27th UN Climate Change Conference will close at least one day later than expected, the Egyptian Presidency announced on Friday, calling for negotiators to “shift gears” so an agreement can be reached on the remaining sticking points.
“I remain concerned at the number of outstanding issues, including on finance mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and their inter linkages,” COP27 President, Sameh Shoukry, told delegates reunited at the plenary of the Sharm el-Sheik International Convention Centre.
Mr. Shoukry called on parties to “urgently” work together to resolve the outstanding issues as swiftly as possible and added that he hopes to finalize the conference by Saturday.
Earlier Friday morning, in an effort to spur the talks along, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met separately with members of the European Union and the Group of 77 and China – which comprises almost all developing countries.
The UN chief also met with China’s Special Climate Envoy, Xie Zhenhua, and continued “extensive consultations” with several parties.
“As the negotiations draw to a close, the Secretary-General urges parties to aim for maximum ambition on loss and damage and in reduction of emissions,” said Mr. Guterres in a note issued in Sharm el-Sheikh by his spokesperson.
The girl who scolded delegates
“Are there any other delegations that wish to make a statement?” President Shoukry asked the so-called stocktaking plenary, where an update of progress has been held daily.
The delegation of Ghana requested the floor, and passed the microphone to 10-year-old Nakeeyat Dramani Sam.
The young activist then began to scold delegates for their seeming failure to take the climate catastrophe seriously: they would act faster to end global warming if they were her age, she declared.
“If all of you were young people like me, wouldn’t you have already agreed to do what is needed to save our planet? Should we let the youth take over? Maybe only the youth delegation should be at the next COP”, she said, igniting a standing ovation from all the delegates present.
Ms. Dramani Sam urged adults to “have a heart” and “do the math”, referring to the science that indicates the gravity of climate change in the future.
“It is my real hope that COP27 will act for us. I'm sure nobody wants to betray us,” she said.
The child activist also asked nations to dig into their pockets and provide funds for those suffering the most.
“Some of the communities in my country are paying heavy prices since our planet was lit on fire by some people. This puts a simple question on the table…When can you pay us back? Because payment is overdue,” she stated.
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