Papua New Guinea Announces Boycott of UN Climate Summit, Critiques Ineffectiveness
Papua New Guinea has decided to boycott the upcoming UN climate summit, citing ineffectiveness and unmet promises from major polluters. Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko criticized the ongoing negotiations, declaring them a waste of time, and announced a pivot towards bilateral agreements with like-minded countries to seek tangible climate solutions.
Papua New Guinea has declared its intention to boycott the upcoming UN climate summit scheduled for next month, labeling the event as a “waste of time” due to ineffective negotiations and hollow commitments from major polluters. Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko articulated his frustration, stating, “There’s no point going if we are falling asleep because of jet lag because we’re not getting anything done.” He criticized the COP negotiations, emphasizing that significant pledges made by large nations fail to translate into real assistance and that the benefits often reach only consultants rather than those in need. The country, recognized for hosting one of the world’s largest rainforests, finds itself particularly susceptible to climate change’s adverse effects. Tkatchenko further expressed his disillusionment by declaring, “COP is a total waste of time” and lamented the repeated empty promises over the last three years. He mentioned that while the Paris Agreement reached in 2015 aimed to unite nations against climate change, many follow-up meetings have been marred by discontent over the actions of high-emission countries. Papua New Guinea’s decision to withdraw from the summit has elicited praise from other Pacific nations similarly frustrated by the lack of progress at COP gatherings. Tkatchenko asserted that the nation will pursue bilateral climate agreements with like-minded states, mentioning negotiations already underway with Singapore, aiming for a more constructive framework that could facilitate meaningful change. He remarked, “With like-minded countries like Singapore, we can do 100 times more than COP”. As global efforts to combat climate change continue, Papua New Guinea emerges as one of the few nations publicly advocating for an exit from COP, seeking instead localized solutions that could address its pressing climate vulnerabilities more effectively.
The United Nations climate change conference, known as COP (Conference of the Parties), serves as the principal international forum for negotiating climate change actions among member countries. Papua New Guinea, with its extensive rainforest resources, is acutely aware of the impacts of climate change. Over the years, COP summits have garnered criticism for perceived inaction and ineffective commitments from major emitting nations. The country’s decision to boycott COP29 underscores a growing discontent among smaller nations regarding the efficiency and integrity of international climate negotiations, which have often left them overlooked in favor of more prominent industrialized nations.
In conclusion, Papua New Guinea’s boycott of the upcoming UN climate summit reflects a significant stance against the perceived futility of international climate negotiations. The nation’s leaders have reiterated their commitment to pursuing more pragmatic bilateral relationships to confront climate challenges effectively. By emphasizing the urgent need for actionable commitments rather than empty pledges, Papua New Guinea hopes to advocate for the interests of vulnerable nations impacted by climate change.
Original Source: www.independent.co.ug
