Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape has pledged to rejoin UN climate talks after boycotting this year’s summit, emphasizing the need to prioritize forest conservation. He stated that countries with high carbon footprints should fund forestry efforts and reaffirmed support for Australia’s bid to co-host COP31 in 2026, highlighting the importance of forestry in combating climate change.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, announced on Tuesday that his country would rejoin UN climate discussions, specifically the upcoming COP30 summit set to take place in Brazil next year. Following the nation’s boycott of this year’s climate talks in Azerbaijan, where the foreign minister criticized the summit as ineffective, Marape emphasized the importance of forest conservation as a central theme in climate dialogues. He advocated that nations contributing significantly to carbon emissions must take responsibility and fund efforts for forest preservation, highlighting the crucial role of forestry in mitigating climate change effects. Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to support Australia’s bid to co-host COP31 in 2026, contingent upon prioritizing discussions surrounding forest management. The Prime Minister underscored that without a focus on forestry and resource management, climate negotiations would yield little benefit, stating, “It is the forestry that clears the atmosphere of carbon and carbon footprints… Forestry is close to our heart.”
Climate change poses significant challenges to many nations, especially those in the Pacific region. Papua New Guinea, rich in forests, has been highlighted as an essential player due to its vast rainforests, which play a crucial role in carbon absorption. As the world faces escalating climate-related disasters, discussions at UN conferences are critical for formulating binding agreements to address climate challenges. Papua New Guinea’s strategic emphasis on forest conservation during these discussions illustrates their understanding of the importance of ecological balance, especially as one of the nations hosting the world’s third-largest rainforest.
In summary, Prime Minister James Marape’s commitment to re-enter UN climate discussions signifies Papua New Guinea’s dedication to addressing climate change through forest conservation. His call for accountability from high carbon-emitting nations highlights an essential aspect of global climate dialogue. Papua New Guinea’s strategic position in the COP summits reinforces the need for robust international collaboration on environmental issues, especially regarding resource management and sustainability.
Original Source: www.france24.com
