COP25 outcome must not be mitigation-centric

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 5 -- Malaysia at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain has highlighted that the COP25 outcome must not be mitigation-centric.

For developing countries, Malaysia pointed out that the adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change and addressing the losses and damages that are incurred are extremely important.

"These directly affect our countries ability to pursue sustainable development and eradicate poverty while trying to effectively implement the Convention and its Paris Agreement,” said Malaysia, speaking on behalf of the Like Minded Developing Countries at the COP25 meet opening plenary.

The highlights of Malaysia's participation at the COP25 was shared by the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) in a statement here today.

The Malaysian delegation to the COP25 Ministerial meeting was led by the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Deputy Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.

The Like Minded Developing Countries is a grouping of 25 developing countries including Malaysia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Egypt and others that form a negotiating block in the UN Climate negotiations.

The MESTECC statement said Malaysia also stressed that work at the COP25 must continue to be guided by, and must reflect, the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, in the light of different national circumstances, under the Convention and its Paris Agreement.

Malaysia at the COP25 also stressed the need to assess the progress of Pre-2020 actions by developed countries under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

The recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report shows emissions reductions has been inadequate in particular by developed countries, who should be taking the lead, it said.

"In COP25, it is important to produce concrete arrangements by developed countries to close the gaps and to ensure that the climate burden is not shifted to developing countries in the post-2020 period,” said Malaysia.

 --BERNAMA