parliaments will help define national, global engagement on climate change,

says secretary-general, in message to Inter-Parliamentary Union bali meeting

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the 116^th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, delivered by Shafqat Kakakhel, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, in Nusa Dua, Bali, 29 April:

The Inter-parliamentary Union and the United Nations are natural and productive partners.  This partnership was strengthened when the General Assembly granted observer status to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 2002, and again at the 2005 World Summit, when world leaders called for stronger cooperation between our organizations.  And in October 2006, the General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for closer ties and active cooperation in a number of vital areas.

Clearly, national parliaments can play a critical role in strengthening the work of the United Nations, and I welcome efforts to build a more strategic partnership.  The recent cooperation agreement between the United Nations Democracy Fund and the IPU is an encouraging step.  I look forward to further strengthening your collaboration with the Peacebuilding Commission, and establishing close cooperation with the Human Rights Council.  I also count on your active engagement as the Economic and Social Council carries out its new functions.  Indeed, the parliamentary “voice”, and the experience of national parliaments in political dialogue will be critical to ensuring that these institutional innovations get off to a strong start.

You gather to consider some of the leading challenges facing the international community.  Among my immediate priorities are ending the tragedy in Darfur, advancing peace in the Middle East and resolving the situation in Kosovo.  This year will also be critical for the Millennium Development Goals, as it marks the midpoint between their adoption and the target date of 2015.  Concerted action will be essential this year if we hope to achieve the Goals.

Climate change is also one of my main priorities, and is a matter of urgency that requires sustained, concerted, high-level attention.  I therefore very much welcome your focus on global warming at this assembly.  As stated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the science is clear:  man-induced climate change is a proven reality.  Dramatic changes are already visible, and the impacts are increasingly severe.  Moreover, global warming not only has environmental consequences, but also serious social, economic and even security implications, making it an all-encompassing threat.

At long last, the issue is rising on the political agenda, and several countries have taken initiatives.  National action needs a strong global framework to ensure coherent and effective responses.  The United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Bali in December will be critical to delivering a long-term global response.  Broad global agreement on some guiding principles during this year can pave the way for the Bali conference to initiate work on the package that is required to bring all relevant aspects of the problem together.  Aspects covered in those principles could include the need for deep emission cuts by industrialized countries and for further engagement of developing countries, while recognizing that developing countries require incentives to limit emissions and assistance for adaptation.  All of this could be tied together by a strengthened carbon market, which offers an opportunity to reduce the cost of emission reductions and to mobilize funds.

We will also need stronger public-private partnerships, and major push to accelerate technological innovation, make existing renewable technologies economically viable and promote a rapid diffusion of technology.  With demand for energy expected to rise dramatically, the world will need to make much greater use of cleaner technologies and energy efficiency so that growth and the fight against climate change to proceed hand in hand.

The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of action.  Parliaments have a contribution to make in ensuring that the necessary resources are made available.  But, of course, your role goes well beyond that.  Your legislative role is especially important, since in your hands lies considerable power to forge the laws, guidelines, frameworks and incentives that will allow business, industry and other actors to play their part in achieving deep and necessary emissions cuts.  Every single person on earth will be affected by climate change.  As representatives of those people, you will help define your country’s national and global engagement on this challenge.

The United Nations, for its part, will continue its varied engagement:  as problem-solver, as a broker of agreements, and as a partner in helping to establish and administer the various mechanisms -– the Framework Convention, Kyoto Protocol, Clean Development Mechanism and carbon trading markets -- that have been created to respond.  Earlier this month, the Security Council held an open debate on energy, security and climate.  The United Nations will also need your support to help build the trust between all players that is needed to advance.

I look forward to working closely with you on this and other matters of common concern.  The IPU plays an important role in channelling the political and technical expertise of national parliaments into the multilateral arena.  I shall remain personally engaged and accessible.  I will also count on your support, since my efforts cannot achieve their intended purpose without your commitment.  In that spirit, please accept my best wishes for a successful assembly.

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For information media • not an official record