Canada’s New Government proud of genuine progress in Nairobi

NAIROBI, November 17, 2006 – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment, today outlined Canada’s achievements at the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Nairobi provided an important opportunity to reinforce with Canadians and the international community our government’s commitment to the UN process and to constructive efforts for truly global response to climate change,” Minister Ambrose said. “Canada can be proud of our contributions to the progress realized this week.”

Canada played a key role through intense negotiations on several significant developments including agreement by all countries to a comprehensive review of the UNFCCC, setting the stage for a more effective future agreement and broader global participation.

Minister Ambrose specifically urged her international colleagues to adopt an urgent process for expanding the protocol to include new members. Canada has always maintained that a truly global response to climate change requires everyone to contribute to the global effort.

“We believe that a review of the protocol is very important and timely work. All Parties have gained considerable experience since it was developed, some nine years ago,” the Minister added. “It is time we engage in a thorough process, covering all aspects of the protocol, in order to assess what has worked well and what can be improved.”

In addition to participating in the formal conference program, Minister Ambrose held numerous bilateral discussions with countries including China, Kenya, the United States, the United Kingdom, India and South Korea as well as the European Union. Those meetings provided a forum for candid discussion and an opportunity to share with her colleagues Canada’s first ever comprehensive plan to combat air pollution and climate change jointly.

Minister Ambrose noted that it was necessary to be honest and forthright about the results of Canada’s previous efforts and be realistic on the progress we could make by 2012.

“Our government understands that success lies in an open, honest and constructive assessment of where we stand today, and a determined effort to identify how we can collectively move forward to find a truly global solution to combat climate change,” Minister Ambrose said. “In Nairobi, we have engaged our international colleagues, we have put forward strong solutions and we have proven that Canada is well-positioned to lead.”

Related Documents :

• Nairobi Climate Change Conference Outcomes [backgrounder, 2006-11-17]

For more information, please contact:

Robert Klager
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441

Environment Canada Media Relations
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008