The 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting takes place during a critical year when the world is determining the path forward on significant global issues, particularly development and climate change.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, recently adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at the Sustainable Development Summit in New York, laid down 17 Sustainable Development Goals to stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance. One of these SDGs refers to the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
High on the international debate in light of the 21st Session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) commencing on November 30, climate change will also be one of the main topics for the upcoming CHOGM. This will enable leaders of Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss this global concern at the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policy-making body.
A Special Session on Climate Action forms part of the CHOGM Malta 2015 agenda, where the international debate of this global concern will be demonstrated. The Commonwealth boasts a distinguished and global agenda-setting track record on political advocacy in this area, including the 1989 Langkawi Declaration where the Commonwealth committed to taking an active role in protecting natural balances and preventing environmental deterioration. At the 2009 Port of Spain Climate Change Consensus, Commonwealth leaders also called for the continued implementation of the six elements of the 2007 Lake Victoria Commonwealth Climate Change Action Plan. This stressed the importance of a global climate change solution for the survival of people and the facilitation of a global transition to a low emission development path.
The Climate Action Session during the upcoming CHOGM will be attended by the French President and host of the forthcoming COP21 in Paris, François Hollande, as well as United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The Prince of Wales and European Commissioner for the Environment Karmenu Vella will also participate during this Special Session that seeks to add value to COP21 by promoting feasible outcomes.
New initiatives will be launched during the summit, including the launch of the Climate Finance Access Hub, an online tool aimed at providing and exchanging advice and support to small and developing States. Assurance for active cooperation between this tool, which is based in Mauritius, and the new Small States Centre of Excellence in Malta is envisaged.
Apart from the Climate Action Special Session, the global issue of climate change will also be tackled during the fora being held in the run up to the main event.