First National Forum on Climate Change
19 - 21th October 2009
Intercontinental Hotel
Phnom Penh

Opening Remarks by Mr. Douglas Broderick, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

______________________________________________________________________________________________

H.E. Dr. Mok Mareth, Chairman of the National Climate Change Committee and Senior Minister of the Ministry of Environment

Excellencies, development partners, honorable guests, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to congratulate the National Climate Change Committee for their leadership in organizing this important event.

On behalf the UN country team, it is my privilege to be here this morning to participate in the opening session at the first National Forum on Climate Change. As you know, climate change is an issue that can no longer be ignored, nor denied. The way we address it, by finding ways to minimize its effects and by adapting the way we work and live to be more environment-friendly, is of crucial importance. This is especially the case a country like Cambodia, which, due to its high levels of poverty, is at significant risk.

As such, today represents an important first step in initiating a dialogue on this important matter with all key stakeholders – the government, development partners, civil society, and Cambodia’s citizens. I thank you all for being a part of this significant forum.

I would like to take a few moments to examine both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead of us on the road to addressing climate change.

Challenges:
The effects of climate change, which we can already see in Cambodia in coastal degradation in Koh Kong, unpredictable weather patterns, droughts and flooding, push people beyond their historical coping zones. Without appropriate social safety nets in place to offer support to those affected, or sufficient infrastructure to quickly repair damaged villages and towns, climate change will pose a significant challenge to human development if not properly addressed.

The poor will suffer the consequences first, and with the greatest severity. Eighty percent of farmers grow just one crop of rice per year. Less than 7% of arable land is irrigated. As a result, changes in rainfall patterns can have devastating effects on livelihoods. This has the potential to impact greatly on the economy, but also has implications for food security and poverty reduction as a whole. As I have already briefly mentioned, other key areas such as fisheries, water, coastal zones and eco-systems will be similarly affected.

The challenges posed by climate change are not restricted by national boundaries. In addition to its own country-specific threats, Cambodia may also suffer the consequences of impacts in neighboring countries. This may include migration from displaced Mekong delta communities, or upstream impacts on river eco-systems caused by reduced catchment to Cambodia.

Failure to cope with these impacts will undermine the progress towards the Cambodian Millennium Development Goals, and thus will impact on Cambodia’s economic and social development.

However, within these challenges lie opportunities. Increasing donor support and setting up carbon market finance systems will make funding more available to address the Climate Change challenges and to ensure sustainable development and low-carbon economic growth. Cambodia can also benefit from technology transfers and knowledge sharing from other countries.

Cambodia can implement mitigation measures that not only to reduce Green House Gas emissions but also ensure economic benefits. This could include improved energy efficiency in buildings, using renewable energy technologies, protection of forest cover, conserving ecosystems and encouraging private companies to invest in the Clean Development Mechanism model, which contributes to GHG reduction and at the same time ensure sustainable development through the use of alternative and renewable energy. Investing in clean technologies can address both financial crisis and climate change issue by generating more jobs while protecting the environment. A simple practical example of a Clean Development Mechanism is a biogass project that captures methane from piggery to produce electricity at Samrong Thom, Kandal Province. Not only have more jobs been created, but families involved in the project are now able to generate more income by selling electricity and by selling carbon in the market.

To reduce the threats and seize the opportunities, Cambodia must be better informed about the consequences of inaction, and of the country’s particular vulnerabilities. Robust planning, policy and institutional frameworks must be in place, an there must be sufficient infrastructure to cope with the possible negative impacts in the near and long term. Cambodia should prepare itself to move towards a low-carbon economy that contributes to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

In other words, Cambodia must ensure that its development does not exacerbate the climate change crisis. At the same time, it must find the fine balance that ensures the development of the country is not hindered or slowed by putting in place climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

This can be achieved through strong partnerships. Cooperation and collaboration among cross-sectoral government agencies, and with key stakeholders, including development partners and civil society, is another opportunity that I envision. It is a cross-cutting issue that requires all sectors of Government, Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations, and Private Sector need to work together to address the issues.

The current and future Cambodia development result would not be sustainable if we do not talk and act to address climate change today.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

The United Nations has placed Climate Change high on its development agenda. We are committed to addressing climate change issues by supporting and assisting the Royal Government of Cambodia in close collaboration with key development partners, civil society and private sectors. We will continue to provide support to the Government to improve coordination, enhance awareness and understanding about climate change and mobilise technical and financial support to address national capacity development needs and policy and institutional gaps.

The UN will also continue to coordinate with key Development Partners to facilitate policy dialogue on climate change on different sectoral and thematic areas according to the specialization of each agency.

In addition, the UN will continue to raise awareness on climate change, in particular through the UN Global Campaign called “Seal the Deal” that invites everyone to sign a petition to pressure to country leaders attending the CoP 15 conference in December this year to reach a solution and agreement on a new climate deal that will help to reduce the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for future generations. Just this past weekend, 700 high school and university students in Siem Reap signed the petition to show their support to the deal.

 I can also share with you that the new United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) that UN agencies are currently developing together in Cambodia also identifies climate change as a priority. The UN agencies have currently been working on Climate Change on different sectors. For example, FAO, IFAD and UNDP are working on Climate Change adaptation for agriculture and water resources, WFP and IOM are working on immediate disaster relief and disaster preparedness and management, WHO and UNICEF are working on the studies of Climate Change impacts of health especially on women and children; UNIDO is working on Energy efficiency and Reducing Emissions; while UNDP is also working on sustainable forestry and Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation initiative. These UN agencies are also partnering with key development partners under respective specialized areas to ensure better impacts on the work they are doing. Developing capacity of national and local authorities, civil society and private sectors to promote climate change adaptation and mitigation is a significant element of the new framework, which maps UN assistance to the country for 2011-2015. We will use the resources we have on the ground, and will additional resources if required, to implement our commitments on climate change.

Finally, let me take a moment to talk about the global climate change meeting that will take place in Copenhagen between December 7-18. 192 countries around the world will take part in the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to United Nations Framework of Convention on Climate Change to discuss future agreements that will shape the way the world deals with issue. In this lead up to this crucial meeting between global decision makers, it is the right time for Cambodia to host an event like this forum to enhance better understanding about climate change issues and promote dialogues before the Conference of the Parties.

We have only one planet to live on. How we all live and develop in the future must be consistent with maintaining the capacity of our ecosystems. But we must also find a balance between development and ecosystem preservation.

Sealing a new climate change agreement will require unwavering political will, so that national interests do not obstruct achieving what is best for our planet as a whole. If the deal reached is also a deal for development, we could set the stage for future generations to live in greater peace and prosperity across our world. We need to invest up front now, to protect our planet and the lives of all of us and our descendants.
 
We know what needs to be done, and we know we collectively face choices.  We can do nothing, or too little, or our world can take bold actions together to confront the climate change challenge. 

This December, in Copenhagen, I hope we will collectively, summon the courage to act.
I am certain this will be a successful forum, as I can see that many crucial issues relating to climate change in Cambodia will be discussed. But discussion should not end with the last session on the last day. You, the participants, must continue this discussion with your counterparts, stakeholders, colleagues and peers. Together, we must keep the debate alive. Together, we must ensure that Cambodia harnesses the opportunities presented by climate change, and works hard to minimize the threats.

Thank you for your attention.