President Bharrat Jagdeo, along with Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for urgent action on climate change and the inclusion of forests as part of the solution at the Summit of the Amazonian Countries and France held on Thursday in Brazil.

In outlining the purpose of the meeting, President Lula, the host of the Summit of Amazonian Countries and France, indicated that coming days before the start of the important Copenhagen meeting, the Summit was intended to push for support and attendance at Copenhagen. In elaborating the actions taken by Brazil, he emphasized Brazil’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also to reduce deforestation while at the same time calling for developed countries to take decisive action on climate change and to make deep cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions. With specific reference to the role of forests, President Lula outlined the need for sustainable management of the Amazon for the protection of forests while at the same time ensuring people’s livelihoods are secured.

In his remarks, President Sarkozy emphasized the need for cooperation among countries and called for new global governance, advocating that at Copenhagen there should be a new organization created to manage credits from climate change and also to follow commitments of countries. He also elaborated on the importance of forests, indicating that 20% of monies for fighting climate change should be at the disposal of countries with forests as deforestation represents 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. In giving support to Brazil and its initiatives, President Sarkozy urged other Amazonian countries to come on board and to attend Copenhagen.

President Jagdeo, in his presentation, thanked President Lula for his leadership on climate change and for taking this initiative, as well as President Sarkozy for his interest and support. President Jagdeo alluded to the traction Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) and REDD + has gained, indicating that the Amazon countries can play an important part of the climate solution as emission cuts from REDD are the ‘low hanging fruit’ and can be implemented immediately, while also being one of the lowest cost abatement solution.

He emphasized that sovereignty and indigenous people’s rights will not be compromised and emphasized that there is a good opportunity to ensure forests are preserved in the long-term, an opportunity Amazon countries should not miss.

In elaborating the work Guyana has been doing, President Jagdeo made reference to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Norway – Guyana MoU, whereby Guyana will receive performance based payments for avoided deforestation and the resources garnered to be used for creating livelihood opportunities and alternatives and adapting to climate change.

In looking towards Copenhagen, President Jagdeo noted that countries should not depart from the science of climate change and what the Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and others are predicting, even as countries continue to work bilaterally. He pointed out that they should not water down proposals as they go into Copenhagen, noting that the estimates are clear on what is required.

He made reference to the work of the Informal Working Group on Interim Finance within which seven countries from South America participate, and the importance of proposals of this Group in taking firm action between now and when the Kyoto Protocol expires.

In identifying the importance of Copenhagen, President Jagdeo emphasized the need for strong agreements on three broad areas, forests, adaptation and renewable energy, and the need for affirmative action for a 2015 peak on greenhouse gas emissions. On the issue of adaptation, he called for urgent action for funding as many small islands and low-lying coastal countries are suffering, an issue he noted will be key at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being held in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Summit of the Amazonian Countries and France and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting are major international fora being held within days of the Copenhagen meeting and represent an important opportunity to lobby support and participation at Copenhagen.

Guyana’s participation is seen as key in advancing the work currently being done and to push for wider support for REDD and REDD+.

Accompanying President Jagdeo to the Summit of the Amazonian Countries and France were Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Shyam Nokta, Head, Office of Climate Change, Office of the President.

At the end of the meeting, the Manaus Declaration was issued. Some of the aspects covered were:

* Climate change stands as one of the most critical and urgent challenges of the 21st century, it can only be effectively faced through a global effort, in which all countries act to the full extent of their capacities, in fulfillment of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

* Leaders reaffirmed commitment to the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol, particularly the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The challenge faced does not demand redefinitions of the existing regime, which adequately balances the right and responsibilities of different nations, but it does require full compliance with the commitments, in mitigation, adaptation and the provision of means of implementation, that have been defined with the UNFCCC process since 1992.

* Leaders will enhance dialogue, with the purpose of achieving an ambitious, effective and equitable outcome at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, ensuring that it adequately reflects the interests of the region and advances its sustainable development.

* Leaders called upon developed countries to implement significant emission reductions; according to their historical responsibilities. They will persist in supporting the continued legal effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol, according to its article 3.9.

* To enhance actions by developing countries in both mitigation and adaptation, flows of new and additional financial and technological support from developed countries established under the UNFCCC must be fully met and this represents the responsibility of governments.

* Preservation of the Amazon forest is integral to supporting life, holding a high wealth of cultural and biological diversity and providing key environmental services: it is also the basis of the existence of numerous indigenous groups, including self-isolated groups and local communities. It further offers crucial sustainable development opportunities for the large population that lives in the region and holds cultural and spiritual values to the indigenous groups and local communities. (GINA)