BALI ROAD MAP ON CLIMATE CHANGE

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BALI ROAD MAP ON CLIMATE CHANGE:

(Progress): 4.

Er Edwin Khew Teck Fook asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security if he will provide an update on the progress of the Bali Road Map negotiations since the 13th Conference of the Parties Meeting of the UN Climate Change Conference in December 2007.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security (Prof. S Jayakumar): Since the 13th Conference of the Parties Meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bali in December 2007, two meetings in Bangkok (31st March – 4 April 2008) and in Bonn (2nd to 13th June 2008) have been held this year to clarify the Bali Action Plan and to discuss the framework for the negotiations in 2009. A third meeting in Ghana is taking place right now. Further discussions are scheduled to be held later in Poland in December. To date, I am afraid progress has been slow especially on substantive issues. This is because the discussions are complex and also highly politicised.

Discussions have thus far proceeded along the divide between the developed (Annex 1) countries and the developing (non-Annex 1) countries. Developing countries want to see a greater commitment from developed countries to reduce CO2 emissions. They would also like to see greater transfer of technology and financial support from the developed countries. On the other hand, while developed countries subscribe to the principle of "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities" (CBDR), they would want to see the major economies amongst the developing countries taking on

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commitments to reduce the growth of emissions.

Our assessment is that progress will continue to be slow this year as 2008 has been earmarked for exchange of views and discussions to facilitate the actual negotiations which are scheduled for next year. The forthcoming US presidential elections, with policy changes, including for climate change, by the new US Administration in 2009 has also been a contributory factor.

For the reasons which were outlined in my answer in this House in January this year, Singapore attaches great importance to these international discussions on climate change, in which we have been participating actively. As PM Lee Hsien Loong outlined at the Bali meeting, any new framework must recognise the vital importance of economic growth and take into account differences in national circumstances and constraints of the countries concerned. As a responsible global citizen, we will continue to play our part on climate change if there is a global agreement to do so.