2009-11-18

(Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday called for a common position for Africa in the upcoming Copenhagen climate talks.

"It is high time that the group of ten, mandated by the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government to speak on behalf of Africa during the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, work out a common position for Africa," Meles said in a declaration.

On Tuesday, Meles was presiding at the meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). The meeting took place in the presence of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping.

Meles, who is also the coordinator of the CAHOSCC, underscored the need for a robust and fair practical agreement to be arrived at, in Copenhagen just a few weeks from now.

"Africa has contributed nothing to the global warming but the continent will be hardest hit by climate change as compared to other continents," he said.

Meles, who will represent Africa at next month's Copenhagen climate change talks, has asked the rich industrialized nations to compensate the less developed Africa for the impact of global warming.

Earlier, African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping expressed the wish for an all inclusive agreement to be arrived at, during the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change so that Africa should be given the necessary support in terms of technology and capacity building to overcome the threat of global warming, given that Africa produces less gas but is greatly impacted by the effect of climate change.

Ping explained that, what Africa is expecting from the international community today is not only a mere declaration but to institute concrete practical measures that will help resolve the present climatic crises and spare the continent from catastrophes.

"This threat is not only endangering the continent but it is our lives that are at stake," said Ping.

The countries that make up the CAHOSCC are Libya, Algeria, Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Mozambique and Ethiopia.

The meeting discussed strategies for Copenhagen climate talks on the basis of the current state of play concerning ongoing negotiations and the proposal made by ministers as well as the institutional mechanism for continuation of the CAHOSCC consultations, amongst other climate change related issues.