November 11, 2011

A word from Ross Mountain: November 2011

Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to draw your attention in this message to an important international event that DARA is involved with: the 2011 Ministerial Meeting of the Climate Vulnerable Forum taking place in Dhaka, Bangladesh this 13 and 14 November starting Sunday.

DARA’s Climate Vulnerability Initiative, including our research around the human implications of climate change made public in the Climate Vulnerability Monitor study, among others (Executive Summary pdf 6.3mb), has been supporting Bangladesh, Maldives and other Forum governments engaged in this work since mid-last year.

The government of Bangladesh is convening the event to address the common challenges and vision of countries highly vulnerable to climate change. Some twenty high-level delegations are attending the ministerial that aims to, among others, adopt a declaration to be taken to the Durban climate talks (COP17) and beyond. For more detailed information on the substance being tackled, please refer to the  issued by Bangladesh which cover key findings and actions being explored in relation to vulnerability/adaptation, finance, technology and mitigation/emission reductions.

The Forum’s draft Declaration, published online here, already captures key aspects of the group´s intentions:

“Standing indivisible as we are in our determination to act to bring about a resolution to the global menace of climate change – to its causes, consequences and collateral effects, which ultimately entail ever greater human suffering, inequity and irreversible damage to the Earth..

“Deeply concerned by the findings of the Climate Vulnerability Monitor 2010, as an independent study examining the current and near-term socio-economic impacts of climate change, and pointing to a large-scale and growing worldwide crisis..

“We are determined to assume a principal role in securing an international partnership towards the immediate, full, sustained and long-term attainment of the objective of the UNFCCC, and demand adequate and predictable support to vulnerable countries that will enable us to make our own contribution to address the causes and consequences of climate change…”

DARA is delighted that the Forum will be inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Shiekh Hasina, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon – a testament to the political importance of the initiative for vulnerable countries, as indeed for global climate policy. On behalf of DARA and sister organization the Club of Madrid, our Trustee José María Figueres, Former President of Costa Rica, will also be addressing delegates gathered in the Bangladesh capital.

For those of you not in Dhaka, I am happy to be able to invite you to follow Sunday and Monday’s proceedings via this page on DARA’s website, where key documents, photos, and videos will be posted.

Particular thanks also goes to our development partners, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network and the UNDP, for their vital contribution to this effort.

Feel free to be in contact with me or my colleagues Matthew McKinnon (mmckinnon@daraint.org; +34687294535) or Lucía Fernandez (lfernandez@daraint.org; +34629828111) for any further information.

We look forward to a robust outcome to the Forum, and thank you for your interest and support in making this initiative a continued success.

With warm regards,
Ross
Director General of DARA