November 14, 2006 - Day 4

On November 14, 2006, SBSTA, SBI and AWG reconvened to complete their work for the current session. Contact groups and informal consultations were also held throughout the day on issues such as the Adaptation Fund, adaptation programme of work, AWG issues, capacity building, financial mechanism, Special Climate Change Fund, and technology transfer.

On Tuesday, SBSTA, SBI and AWG reconvened to complete their work for the current session. Where the issue of including new HCFC-22, HFC-23 projects in the CDM mechanism was concerned, SBSTA noted that the issue had not been resolved. China expressed disappointment that agreement had not been possible. Contact groups and informal consultations were also held throughout the day on issues such as the Adaptation Fund, adaptation programme of work, AWG issues, capacity building, financial mechanism, Special Climate Change Fund, and technology transfer.

Where adapatation fund is concerned, Adrian Macey from New Zealand reported agreement on a draft of principles and mmodalities, saying it was a significant step forward in operationalising the Fund. He emphasized that the Fund’s principles and modalities were developed without prejudging the final institutional arrangements. The G-77/China noted it is an “innovative solidarity fund,” the EU said it built “new trust” among parties, and Japan hoped the choice of institution will reflect the Fund’s agreed principles and modalities.

One of the most important happenings of November 14, 2006 for developing countries, was the finalisation of the five-year programme. The subsidiary body for scientific and technological advice concluded the work on setting the procedures and modalities of the programme. As per the programme, work would be taken to generate information on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. as per the coordinator of G77 group on this programme, the adaptation of the principles and modalities of this programme is a major set forward in coming up with adaptation procedures for the developing countries.

Other important events of the day were some side events. During one of these events, Elisabeth Lipiatou of the European Commission (EC) highlighted the EU Programme on African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA), whose main aim is to improve the ability to predict the weather and climate in West Africa. Lipiatou asserted the importance of reducing the impacts of variability and trends in the West Africa monsoons and said that it is important to build local capacity to generate information and manage crisis situations.

Amadou Gaye from the University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal, stated that rainfall fluctuation in West Africa has a profound and fundamental impact on the hydrological cycle and that the rainy season determines life and environmental conditions in the region. He outlined the scientific strategy of AMMA, which focuses on improving monsoon forecasting, achieving improved seasonal- and inter-annual predictions; and analysing how monsoons impact food security in the region.