PM says climate change a ‘thorny problem’ to address
PRIME Minister Hun Sen said he regarded climate change as a thorny problem to be solved according to a comprehensive and balance policy.
Speaking during a virtual UN forum on climate vulnerability on Wednesday, he said even if Cambodia’s resources and capacities remain limited, the country has a greater political determination and to contribute to global efforts to address climate change based on the key principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, especially the principles on shared responsibility.
“On a global level, I find climate change is a thorny problem to be solved according to a comprehensive and balanced policy, including the social, economic and environmental landscapes,” he said.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said at the forum that climate vulnerability and the Covid-19 crisis demonstrate new dangers facing the world inflicted huge human and economic costs.
“Both crises can only be addressed through ambitious multilateral action. That is why I am urging governments to take six climate-positive actions to recover better together,” Guterres said.
According to Guterres, the actions include investments in green jobs, no bailouts for polluting industries, especially coal, an end to fossil-fuel subsidies, carbon tax, taking climate risks into account in all financial and policy decisions and working together.
“All countries are threatened by climate change, but some are more vulnerable than others. Vulnerable nations need support. Support for adaptation and resilience is as necessary as mitigation and should be funded equally by multilateral development banks and the Green Climate Fund,” he said.
Hun Sen encouraged governments of all countries to present reports on their national contributions to address climate change.
He urged an increase in financial resources, especially climate financing that developed countries promised previously and the transfer of technologies to developing countries in response to climate change.
He also encouraged investment in private research in the renewable sector and power efficiency, forest protection and infrastructure.
“In this current context, pushing forward and adhering to a regional framework and pluralism is a main principle for solving challenges that are happening in all sectors,” he said.
Guterres thanked Hun Sen for his remarks and said governments of all countries need to be leaders with the ambition to address climate change.