‘Loss and Damage Fund secretariat notified under UNDRR’

SDPI executive director says tension prevails among negotiators on global goals

ISLAMABAD:

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri has said that after five days of constant negotiations at the COP-28, the excitement of the international forum has converted into tension on the negotiating text based on diverging opinions of different delegates.

In his online interaction with media Tuesday from Dubai, Dr Suleri, who is regularly sharing his views on the official discussions at the COP-28, said tension prevails among the negotiators this time, especially on the global goals and means of adaptation not only between the developing and developed countries but also between G-77 states and China.

Read Developing states seek increase in Adaptation Fund

However, he said, the Santiago Network, which was set up to provide technical support on the implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund, finally decided its secretariat to be placed under the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). “This was a tie between the Caribbean Development Bank and UNDRR but on developing countries emphasis, it was not placed under the multilateral development bank but the UN office,” he added.

Commenting on the Clean Energy Transition, Dr Suleri said negotiations on energy to phase out fossil fuels by 2050 were also held. The developing countries are agreeing on the harmful impact of fossil fuels but they are asking for some sort of just energy transition.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2023.