UN climate talks a miserable experience says negotiator

By John Parnell

The Seychelles’ lead climate negotiator says the COP18 summit in Doha will be difficult, and wants more cooperation between the three “Rio Conventions” dealing with climate, desertification and biodiversity.

Speaking at the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Hyderabad, Ronny Jumeau bemoaned the progress at the UN climate talks so far as preparations continue for the next climate meeting, COP18, in Doha this November.

“Give me the CBD COP any time! We’re leaving here very happy,” said Jumeau after a number of marine protection agreements were made at the summit.

“Compare that situation to the climate change talks. We rarely leave climate change talks with a smile. It’s relaxing to come to this COP before I go to Doha in November. That one is going to be difficult,” he said.

Jumeau, the Seychelles’ UN, US and climate change ambassador, told RTCC that the three UN conventions formed at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, needed to work more closely together because of the strong links between the subjects they dealt with.

“Climate change is rearing its ugly head everywhere. I look forward to the day when we have a joint meeting between the conventions and putting all these issues on the table. The three Rio Conventions, desertification, biodiversity and climate change should all be working together,” he said.

RTCC VIDEO: Ronny Jumeau, the Seychelles’ climate change ambassador, tells RTCC there should be more cooperation between the three UN Rio Conventions

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