Brussels, 27/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - Ministers from the 78 ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) countries and their EU colleagues will be meeting up on 28-29 May for their Council, where they will negotiate a common declaration text on climate and development. The draft declaration was amended on Tuesday evening in an attempt to reach common ground and was initially expected to be adopted without debate on Thursday 28 May (during the Competitiveness Council). At the request of the ACP, the text will still have to be negotiated in the joint plenary session.
Some of the amendments include the EU's agreeing to remove a sentence from the text on the EU's aims for the developing countries' contribution to the fight against climate change, that these countries collectively commit, within an overall agreement structure, on adopting national strategies for reducing green house gas emissions by 2020 by 15%-30% compared to the “business as usual” approach.
Other causes of concern: ACP countries appear to be having difficulties with a paragraph on the EU contribution to funding adaptation and reduction measures on climate change in developing countries, as well as sources of public and private funding required to cover these costs. They have certain fears that their own private sector will not contribute. (A.N./trans/rh)