• diary political and General News Events from Feb 2

China also has extensive interests in Nigeria, particularly in oil exploration and production. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), notes Rocha, has acquired a 45 percent working interest in an offshore enterprise, OML 130, for $2.3 billion; the CNPC has invested in the Port Harcourt refinery; and a joint venture between the Chinese Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and the L.N. Mittal Group plans to invest $6 billion in railways, oil refining and power in exchange for rights to drill oil.
These interests have led to an increasingly tight alliance with the faction of the ruling People's Democratic Party dominated by President Olusegun Obasanjo. This relationship has a controversial security dimension.
"The Nigerian government is increasingly turning to China for weapons to deal with the worsening insurgency in the oil-rich Niger Delta," notes Ndubisi Obiorah, director of the Center for Law and Social Action in Lagos. The Nigerian Air Force purchased 14 Chinese-made versions of the upgraded Mig 21 jet fighter; the navy has ordered patrol boats to secure the swamps and creeks of the Niger Delta."
Not surprisingly, the rebel Movement for the Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta (MEND) has warned Chinese companies to keep out of the region or risk attack.
With their integrated political, military, economic and diplomatic components, China's "strategic partnerships" with governments such as those of Nigeria, Sudan and Zimbabwe increasingly have the feel of the old United States and Soviet relationships with client states during the Cold War.
CHALLENGING CHINA
Some African critics of Chinese investment in Africa hold out hope that things may yet be turned around. Though critical of current Chinese policies, Humphrey Pole-Pole of Tanzania appealed at the Nairobi meeting for a "win-win-win" strategy--"a win for China, a win for African governments and a win for African people. This is not impossible."
The key to such a change may be the growth of Chinese civil society organizations, some of which are increasingly independent of, and even critical of, government policies within China, according to Dorothy Guerrero, coordinator of Focus on the Global South's China program. "If the Chinese government and business interests in Africa are to be moderated by concerns for local people, the environment, human rights, etc., it is of extreme importance that the international voices arguing for this are joined by a constituency of people within China who are also concerned about such principles." She adds that links must be forged between African and Chinese NGOs, and it was for that reason that representatives of Chinese NGOs went to Nairobi.
But closer ties are not enough, says Fong of Moving Mountains. Mechanisms have to be devised that could be used effectively to press for accountability on the part of the Chinese government. One point of vulnerability he identifies is the practice of Chinese government entities, such as the China Export-Import Bank, of seeking co-financing for their Africa projects from international banks such as HSBC and Citigroup. When it comes to controversial projects, he suggests, pressure might be indirectly placed on the Chinese by lobbying these institutions, which are more sensitive about their image than Beijing.
Others are skeptical that such tactics, which might have worked with Western governments and firms, will succeed with China.
But whatever their differences, civil society activists, African and Chinese, have a consensus on one thing: it will be a hard, uphill struggle to change the Chinese juggernaut's direction in Africa.
RELATED ARTICLE: China's Africa profile.
* Chinese oil firms work in Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo.
*The biggest Chinese company working in Africa is the state-controlled China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
* China has refused to sign the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which is meant to improve governance in resource-rich countries through the verification and full publication of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas and mining.
Sudan
* CNPC is part of three consortia in Sudan: the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, of which it has the largest holding at 40 percent; the Petrodar Operating Company Limited, of which it has the largest holding at 41 percent; and the Red Sea Petroleum Operating Company, of which it holds 35 percent.
* China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (CPECC), CNPC's construction arm, participated in the construction of a 1,500 kilometer pipeline from south-central Sudan to the Red Sea. Operation of the oil field served by the pipeline was the "first overseas large oil field operated by China," according to a CNPC press release. CPECC relied on 10,000 imported Chinese laborers to build the pipeline. "Our workers are used to eating bitterness ... they can work 13 to 14 hours a day for very little," the vice president of CPECC told the Wall Street Journal. CPECC also built a refinery near Khartoum with a 2.5 million-ton processing capacity.
* China buys between half and two-thirds of Sudan's oil exports and is Sudan's largest trading partner.
Nigeria
* During a state visit to Nigeria in April 2006, China's President Hu Jintao announced a $2 billion low-interest loan in exchange for oil exploration rights off the Niger Delta as well as in the Lake Chad region, the International Crisis Group notes. China is to launch a Nigerian telecommunications satellite before the end of the year and has pledged unspecified bilateral cooperation in the nuclear field.
* In January 2007, the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation announced it would buy a 45 percent share in an offshore Nigerian oil field for $2.27 billion.
Angola
* Angola is China's largest African oil supplier, accounting for roughly half of African oil exports to China. A quarter of Angolan oil ships to China.
* China maintains substantial financial investments in Angola, including loans of around US$5 billion in 2006. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao visited Luanda in June 2006.
* The presence of Chinese companies is very noticeable throughout the country, according to Human Rights Watch, in particular construction companies working on the rehabilitation of major infrastructure such as railroads.
Sources: Africa Action, Amnesty International, Council on Foreign Relations, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group.
Walden Bello is executive director of the Bangkok-based research and advocacy institute Focus on the Global South.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Essential Information, Inc.
Document MUMO000020070919e3110000f
Middle East an Elusive Market
319 words

27 December 2006

Korea Times

KORTIM

English

(c) 2006 Korea Times. All rights reserved.
By Park Hyong-ki
Korean export goods in the Middle East and Africa are rated an average 65 points out of 100, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
Citing a survey among 325 buyers in 13 countries in those regions regarding Korean, Japanese and Chinese commodities, including automobiles and electronics, Korean brands rank in between the two Asian nations.
Buyers gave Japanese products 68 points, while Chinese goods received 55.
Korea's key exports to the Middle East are automobiles, mobile phones, steel, and energy plants. The Middle East accounted for about 4.3 percent of the overall outbound shipping last year, KOTRA says.
Its exports to the region reached $6.3 billion in the first half of this year, up 18 percent from the same period a year ago.
Meanwhile, Korea mostly sends ships, cars and plastics to Africa.
The KOTRA survey also shows that Korean products are especially favored in Egypt and Lebanon, while Japanese goods star in South Africa and Saudi Arabia and Chinese goods in Nigeria.
``Korean cars and wireless communication devices have maintained their edge over other Asian products in the Middle Eastern countries. Sales of both products amounted to $3.7 billion last year,'' said an official at KOTRA. ``In Africa, Korean ships are in high demand, reaching $3.7 billion in orders last year. That's more than half of total exports to the continent.''
In terms of cost-effectiveness, Arab and African buyers rated Korean goods at 68 points, slightly behind Japanese at about 69 points.
However, officials noted that Chinese products like plastics and electronics are gaining momentum in those regions, catching up closely with Korea's market share. The buyers ranked Chinese goods at 64 points.
``Korean exporters need to constantly assess regional markets and trends to prevent from losing their ground and competitiveness to other Asian products,'' said the official.
Document KORTIM0020061227e2cr0000h

Korean goods trail Japanese in Middle East, Africa
320 words

26 December 2006

Korea.net news

KORNET

English

Copyright 2006. Korean Overseas Information Service Government Information Agency. All rights reserved.
Korean export goods in the Middle East and Africa are rated an average 65 points out of 100, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
Citing a survey among 325 buyers in 13 countries in those regions regarding Korean, Japanese and Chinese commodities, including automobiles and electronics, Korean brands rank in between the two Asian nations.
Buyers gave Japanese products 68 points, while Chinese goods received 55.
Korea's key exports to the Middle East are automobiles, mobile phones, steel, and energy plants. The Middle East accounted for about 4.3 percent of the overall outbound shipping last year, the KOTRA said.
Korean exports to the region reached $6.3 billion in the first half of this year, up 18 percent from the same period a year ago.
Meanwhile, Korea mostly sends ships, cars and plastics to Africa.
The KOTRA survey also shows that Korean products are especially favored in Egypt and Lebanon, while Japanese goods star in South Africa and Saudi Arabia and Chinese goods in Nigeria.
“Korean cars and wireless communication devices have maintained their edge over other Asian products in the Middle Eastern countries. Sales of both products amounted to $3.7 billion last year,” said an official at the KOTRA. “In Africa, Korean ships are in high demand, reaching $3.7 billion in orders last year. That's more than half of total exports to the continent.”
In terms of cost-effectiveness, Arab and African buyers rated Korean goods at 68 points, slightly behind Japanese at about 69 points.
However, officials noted that Chinese products like plastics and electronics are gaining momentum in those regions, catching up closely with Korea's market share. The buyers ranked Chinese goods at 64 points.
“Korean exporters need to constantly assess regional markets and trends to prevent from losing their ground and competitiveness to other Asian products,” said the official.
Document KORNET0020061226e2cq0000f

TELECOM_WORLD_2006'>Industrys Whos Who prepares for ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006
1,528 words

23 December 2006

M2 Presswire

MTPW

English

(c) 2006 M2 Communications, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Industry's Who's Who prepares for ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 Leading ICT Names and exciting newcomers reflect industry's good recovery
ACCREDIT NOW to be sure to be a part of this key event! www.itu.int/WORLD2006/registration/index.html
Geneva, 23 November 2006 - With a number of new growth areas and next-generation products and services set to revolutionize the way we communicate on a global scale, the information and communication technology (ICT) industry is showing very positive signs of good health. Nowhere is this good health more in evidence than at ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006, taking place in Hong Kong, China from 4-8 December, where top ICT players from around the world will flock to make the right connections, explore the latest ICT innovations and enjoy the industry's renewed vigour.
Along with the biggest industry names, exhibiting companies and organizations will also encompass new technology segments and growth regions from around the world. As well as extensive geographical reach, exhibiting companies at ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 will represent the full diversity of the industry from next-generation networks to mobile, wireless, broadband, digital content and much more. Exhibiting companies will represent countries as diverse as Canada, the US, UK, Japan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, China, India and Nigeria amongst others, underscoring the event's truly global nature.
"We are very pleased to welcome such an impressive mix of exhibiting companies to Hong Kong, China and to our WORLD event. This broad-based participation, both in geographically and in terms of the range of technologies represented, shows that the ICT industry is truly back in fighting fit form," said Yoshio Utsumi, ITU Secretary-General. "It is my belief that this WORLD event will be a critical milestone for the industry, in terms of new technologies unveiled, connections that will be forged as well as positive progress which will be made in extending the reach of ICTs."
Major industry names will be in evidence throughout a packed venue, from the Show Floor, to the TELECOM VILLAGE, the Forum and elsewhere. Top players include China Mobile, China Telecommunications, Hitachi, HP, Huawei, LG, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, NEC, OKI, QUALCOMM, SK Telecom, Sun Microsystems and ZTE. For a full list of Exhibiting companies see www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/TELECOM/scripts/exhibition/stand.list?event=wt2 006.
"ITU TELECOM WORLD is widely recognized as the premier telecommunications industry event, bringing together leading operators, software and hardware providers, integrators, government officials and others in one venue," said Michael O'Hara, general manager for the Communications Sector, Microsoft. "It's a very exciting time for our industry, and we at Microsoft are focused on helping to shape the future through innovation, technology and partnership with the world's telecommunications organizations."
"Motorola believes the next wave of innovation is upon us - everything is getting digitized, everything digital is going mobile and broadband is becoming as pervasive and as essential as air," said Dr. Simon Leung, LL.D., president, Motorola Asia Pacific. "ITU TELECOM WORLD provides a unique networking platform to connect, inform and enlighten the great minds and companies within the global wireless telecommunications industry."
"ITU TELECOM WORLD is one of the world's leading ICT events," said Bill Davidson, vice president, Global Marketing and Investor Relations for QUALCOMM. "QUALCOMM is committed to supporting our partners throughout the wireless value chain, and the ITU event provides a good venue for us to connect with both existing and new partners."
"ITU TELECOM WORLD has consistently proven to be the ultimate event for networking with all of the major players in the worldwide telecommunications industry," said Darrell Jordan-Smith, vice president of communications at Sun Microsystems. "With 2006 seeing major growth in the telecommunications industry, Sun Microsystems is committed to finding new and innovative ways to connect the global community through open standards-based technologies to accelerate growth in the telecommunications industry. We believe that open standards and participation create great ideas and when great ideas are shared, anything is possible."
As well as major established corporations, a number of new exhibitors are also taking part in the event, representing dynamic growth sectors and cutting-edge technologies from around the world. First time exhibitors at a WORLD event include Agilent Technologies, Business Logic Systems, China Mobile, China Netcom, PacketVision, Trolltech, ICANN, and avex/ChengTian.
According to Charlie Horrell, CEO, PacketVision, "As a young company addressing the global IPTV market, Packet Vision needs to make every dollar count. ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 promises to be an excellent springboard to launch us into a number of key territories. Logistics have been painless and the show looks like being a very effective way both to reinforce existing relationships and to meet potential new partners and customers. "
Meanwhile, David Walker, CEO of leading mobile customer prepaid loyalty player, Business Logic Systems, added, "As the company grows from strength to strength, the time is now right for us to attend this 'Olympics' of the telecoms industry calendar. With a large proportion of our current tier one mobile operator business located in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as several recently opened regional offices, ITU TELECOM WORLD's Hong Kong location is all the more relevant for us. We have a great deal to offer mobile operators in the region who are looking to maximize revenues from their prepaid subscriber bases. We look forward to an extremely successful event."
"ITU brings together industry thought leaders in the global telecom arena and is a must for companies aiming to spearhead mobile innovation," says Haavard Nord, co-CEO of Trolltech. "Over 4 million phones built with Trolltech's Qtopia platform for Linux-based mobiles have already shipped, and our presence will put the spotlight on Linux as a serious and fast-growing player in the mobile phone space."
The event will also recognize ICT achievements from around the world. National and Regional pavilions will highlight the ICT sectors of Belgium, Canada, Egypt, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Hong Kong (China), Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Macau (China), Russia, Spain, the UK and the US. Industry Pavilions will look at the explosive impact of the Internet, GPON and WiMAX around the world.
Also new to the show floor will be the Digital Life Theatre, a dynamic, futuristic presentation venue where visitors can watch showcase presentations on the future of the Digital World.
Hosted by the government of the People's Republic of China, and organized by ITU, ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 stands out as the most international ICT tradeshow and networking event of the year.
Accredit now to be sure to be part of this crucial event. www.itu.int/WORLD2006/registration/index.html .
For more information, please contact:
S. Acharya Chief, Media relations and public information International Telecommunication Union Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
Lucy George Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
USA Kalindi Multani Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
South America Evelyn Zapata Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
Asia-Pacific Carl Wong Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
France Odile Bibollet Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
Germany Ortrud Wenzel Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
UK Lucy Meacher Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
About ITU
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology (ICT). As a membership organization, it provides a global platform for governments and the private sector from around the world to develop and coordinate networks and services. Founded in 1865, ITU has a track-record in coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, working to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems.
ITU TELECOM WORLD is a global event that takes place every three years showcasing state-of-the-art information and communication technologies. The event attracts the world's most influential and significant names across the ICT industry from service providers to government decision-makers and regulators. By bringing together the full spectrum of ICT players, the event provides a unique platform for the most innovative minds across the industry to network, brainstorm on policies, technologies and ideas that will shape the nature, direction and future of ICT.
From broadband internet to latest-generation wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from phone and fax services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks, ITU continues to play a central role in helping the world communicate.
Visit our Web site at http://www.itu.int/newsroom
M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [e-mail].
Document MTPW000020061123e2cn003pf

Government Signs N24 Billion Rural Telephony Contract With Chinese Companies
208 words

22 December 2006

12:10 PM

All Africa

AFNWS

English

(c) 2006 AllAfrica, All Rights Reserved
Abuja, Dec 22, 2006 (Nigeria First/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --
Contracts for the second phase of the National Rural Telephony Project was signed on December 21, 2006 in Abuja between Nigeria and two Chinese firms - ZTE and Alcatel Shanghai Bell
The two Chinese firms had executed the first phase of the project which covered 218 L.G.A.s spread across the country.
Minister of Communications, Dr. Obafemi Anibaba who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, disclosed that this second phase will also involve a third Chinese firm, Huawei.
He explained that even on completion, it would not fully cover the 774 L.G.A.s as it is expected to cover over 300,bringing to 576 the number of area councils that have access to basic telecommunications including voice, data transmission and internet services.
Following the Presidential approval received by the Ministry of Communications, contract for the third phase would be awarded in March 2007 to ensure every nook and cranny of Nigeria was linked by telecommunications signal.
The National Rural Telephony Project is being financed through a concessionary loan secured by the Nigerian Government from the Government of the Peoples Republic of China.
Document AFNWS00020061222e2cm0010m
High-Level Task Force To Seek New Climate Change Framework
1,013 words

20 December 2006

U.S. Newswire

USWIR

n/a

English

© 2006 U.S. Newswire. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights reserved.
To: AND POLITICAL EDITORS
Contact: Katherine Miller, Communications Director of United Nations Foundation, [phone], or cell, [phone], or [e-mail]; or Barbara Gonzalez del Valle Communications of Club of Madrid, [phone], or [e-mail]
MADRID, Spain and WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Clubof Madrid and the United Nations Foundation announced today the formation ofan independent High-Level Task Force on Climate Change to develop and proposea new framework for a post-Kyoto agreement on climate change through theGleneagles Dialogue process. The Task Force will be chaired by Ricardo Lagos,President of the Club of Madrid, and Timothy E. Wirth, President of the UNFoundation, and facilitated by Mohamed El-Ashry, former CEO and Chairman ofthe Global Environment Facility.
The Club of Madrid consists of 66 Members, democratic former Heads ofState and Government from some 50 countries around the world. It offers aneutral, yet uniquely equipped combination of political experience andsubstantive expertise to consider major global issues affecting sustainabledemocratic development. At its recent Annual Conference, the Members of theClub of Madrid resolved to work on the issue of climate change as an area ofglobal concern which urgently requires leadership and internationalcooperation.
The Task Force will offer recommendations to the Dialogue on ClimateChange, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development, launched at the G8 summit inGleneagles in July 2005 as an informal forum complementing the formalnegotiations within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. TheDialogue involves 20 countries -- the G8 plus Australia, Brazil, China, India,Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Spain, South Africa, and South Korea, aswell as the European Commission. The Dialogue will report back to the G8 in2008.
"We are fast approaching a tipping point on global warming, and it is timefor more concerted action to avoid dangerous impacts on our economic andenvironmental systems," said Wirth, who led the U.S. climate team asUndersecretary of State for Global Affairs under President Clinton. "Thebasic building blocks of an international agreement are readily identifiable-- but political will and consensus have been elusive. Together with the Clubof Madrid, we're creating this task force to harness the wisdom of formerworld leaders and demonstrate that a political consensus is possible -- beforeit is too late."
"We know that a sustainable energy future is possible and the costs arenot out of reach, but increased political will and greater collaborationbetween developed and developing countries are missing," said Lagos, whoserved as President of Chile from 2000 to 2006. "We hope that by using thisforum of high-level dialogues, we'll be able to make clear, conciserecommendations on the next steps to mitigate climate change and empower ourleaders to move quickly and forcefully on this important issue."
"The Club of Madrid brings great political strength to this effort. Asformer Presidents and Prime Ministers, they have had to make difficultdecisions in many different areas. They know firsthand what the difficultpolitical questions are and thus can offer unique added value to this veryparticular and major challenge," said El- Ashry, now a Senior Fellow at the UNFoundation. "The UN Foundation is providing support and leadership for adialogue that will need to take into account the concerns and needs ofdifferent regions, levels of development, and the role that parties involved-- in government, politics and institutions -- should and can play in stoppingclimate change."
The High-Level Task Force will have a maximum membership of 20 eminentpersons, widely recognized for their ability to influence public opinion andshape agendas on global issues. It will include Members of the Club ofMadrid, former leaders of major intergovernmental organizations, and renownedrepresentatives of civil society, the private sector, and academia.Membership will reflect both a geographical balance and the voice ofgovernmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the climate changechallenge.
The Task Force on Climate Change will address a number of key issuesincluding:
* Effective targets and timetables for developed and developing countries. * Market-based mechanisms, carbon trading, and a more efficient Clean Development Mechanism. * Flexible intellectual property rights and competitiveness rules to allow for innovation and transfer of clean energy technologies between developed and developing countries. * Assistance to developing countries for adoption of clean and efficient energy technologies. * Adaptation, its link with development, and financing mechanisms. * Enhanced investment and collaboration on research, development, and deployment of cleaner and lower-cost energy technologies. In 2007: * Members of the Task Force will meet on at least two occasions in advance of the Berlin Gleneagles meeting in September and the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention in Bali in December to exchange views and draw up recommendations. * To provide technical input and inform the Task Force deliberations, two expert roundtables with approximately 20- 30 participants will be convened prior to each of the two Task Force sessions to advise on the most critical topics of debate. In addition, a multi-stakeholder consultation will be organized to facilitate broader participation and enhance the output of the Task Force process.

The end result of the Task Force's work will be a concise statement ofprinciples and objectives to guide international negotiations toward a post-Kyoto agreement on climate change, particularly within the desired,accelerated timetable, well before the treaty's expiration in 2012.
A review of the results of this process and the outcome of the GleneaglesDialogue meeting in September 2007 will guide the Task Force in charting acourse for 2008, with a focus on the final meeting of the Gleneagles Dialoguein Tokyo in the fall of 2008.
About the Club of Madrid
The Club of Madrid is an independent organization dedicated tostrengthening democracy around the world by drawing on the unique experienceand resources of its Members -- 66 democratic former heads of state andgovernment. www.clubmadrid.org
About the United Nations Foundation
The UN Foundation was created in 1998 to support UN causes and activities.The UN Foundation builds and implements public-private partnerships to addressthe world's most pressing problems and also works to broaden support for theUN through advocacy and public outreach. www.unfoundation.org .
SOURCE United Nations Foundation
Document USWIR00020061220e2ck000s3
High-Level Task Force To Seek New Climate Change Framework; Club of Madrid Partners with UN Foundation
1,080 words

20 December 2006

07:00 AM

PR Newswire (U.S.)

PRN

English

Copyright © 2006 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.
MADRID, Spain and WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Club of Madrid and the United Nations Foundation announced today the formation of an independent High-Level Task Force on Climate Change to develop and propose a new framework for a post-Kyoto agreement on climate change through the Gleneagles Dialogue process. The Task Force will be chaired by Ricardo Lagos, President of the Club of Madrid, and Timothy E. Wirth, President of the UN Foundation, and facilitated by Mohamed El-Ashry, former CEO and Chairman of the Global Environment Facility.
The Club of Madrid consists of 66 Members, democratic former Heads of State and Government from some 50 countries around the world. It offers a neutral, yet uniquely equipped combination of political experience and substantive expertise to consider major global issues affecting sustainable democratic development. At its recent Annual Conference, the Members of the Club of Madrid resolved to work on the issue of climate change as an area of global concern which urgently requires leadership and international cooperation.
The Task Force will offer recommendations to the Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development, launched at the G8 summit in Gleneagles in July 2005 as an informal forum complementing the formal negotiations within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Dialogue involves 20 countries -- the G8 plus Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Spain, South Africa, and South Korea, as well as the European Commission. The Dialogue will report back to the G8 in 2008.
"We are fast approaching a tipping point on global warming, and it is time for more concerted action to avoid dangerous impacts on our economic and environmental systems," said Wirth, who led the U.S. climate team as Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs under President Clinton. "The basic building blocks of an international agreement are readily identifiable -- but political will and consensus have been elusive. Together with the Club of Madrid, we're creating this task force to harness the wisdom of former world leaders and demonstrate that a political consensus is possible -- before it is too late."
"We know that a sustainable energy future is possible and the costs are not out of reach, but increased political will and greater collaboration between developed and developing countries are missing," said Lagos, who served as President of Chile from 2000 to 2006. "We hope that by using this forum of high-level dialogues, we'll be able to make clear, concise recommendations on the next steps to mitigate climate change and empower our leaders to move quickly and forcefully on this important issue."
"The Club of Madrid brings great political strength to this effort. As former Presidents and Prime Ministers, they have had to make difficult decisions in many different areas. They know firsthand what the difficult political questions are and thus can offer unique added value to this very particular and major challenge," said El-Ashry, now a Senior Fellow at the UN Foundation. "The UN Foundation is providing support and leadership for a dialogue that will need to take into account the concerns and needs of different regions, levels of development, and the role that parties involved -- in government, politics and institutions -- should and can play in stopping climate change."
The High-Level Task Force will have a maximum membership of 20 eminent persons, widely recognized for their ability to influence public opinion and shape agendas on global issues. It will include Members of the Club of Madrid, former leaders of major intergovernmental organizations, and renowned representatives of civil society, the private sector, and academia. Membership will reflect both a geographical balance and the voice of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the climate change challenge.
The Task Force on Climate Change will address a number of key issues including:
* Effective targets and timetables for developed and developing countries.

* Market-based mechanisms, carbon trading, and a more efficient Clean

Development Mechanism.

* Flexible intellectual property rights and competitiveness rules to allow

for innovation and transfer of clean energy technologies between

developed and developing countries.

* Assistance to developing countries for adoption of clean and efficient

energy technologies.

* Adaptation, its link with development, and financing mechanisms.

* Enhanced investment and collaboration on research, development, and

deployment of cleaner and lower-cost energy technologies.
In 2007:

* Members of the Task Force will meet on at least two occasions in advance

of the Berlin Gleneagles meeting in September and the Conference of the

Parties to the Framework Convention in Bali in December to exchange

views and draw up recommendations.

* To provide technical input and inform the Task Force deliberations, two

expert roundtables with approximately 20-30 participants will be

convened prior to each of the two Task Force sessions to advise on the

most critical topics of debate. In addition, a multi-stakeholder

consultation will be organized to facilitate broader participation and

enhance the output of the Task Force process.


The end result of the Task Force's work will be a concise statement of principles and objectives to guide international negotiations toward a post- Kyoto agreement on climate change, particularly within the desired, accelerated timetable, well before the treaty's expiration in 2012.
A review of the results of this process and the outcome of the Gleneagles Dialogue meeting in September 2007 will guide the Task Force in charting a course for 2008, with a focus on the final meeting of the Gleneagles Dialogue in Tokyo in the fall of 2008.
About the Club of Madrid
The Club of Madrid is an independent organization dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world by drawing on the unique experience and resources of its Members -- 66 democratic former heads of state and government. www.clubmadrid.org
About the United Nations Foundation
The UN Foundation was created in 1998 to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public-private partnerships to address the world's most pressing problems and also works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. www.unfoundation.org .
SOURCE United Nations Foundation
200612200700PR_NEWS_USPR_____CLW032.xml
Document PRN0000020061220e2ck003h4