President Girma W/Giorgis addresses the Third World Climate Conference in Geneva

A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by H.E. Mr. Girma W/Giorgis, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is currently participating in the World Climate Conference-3 being held in Geneva, Switzerland from the 31 March -4 September, 2009, according to a statement released by the Ethiopian Permanent Mission in Geneva.

In his address during the Conference’s High-level segment, President Girma underlined that though African countries contribute very little for global warming and climate change, it is Africa’s poorest of the poor who are bearing the heavy burden of its sever consequences. He noted that the various policies and strategies implemented by the Government signals Ethiopia’s determination to enhance its preparedness and coping strategies to the effects of climate change. The president called on all actors particularly developed countries to step-up their efforts in supporting least developed countries. On the sidelines of the meeting, the president met and held talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Mr. Francis Gurry.

The conference adopted the much awaited declaration in which countries agreed to establish an international framework for climate services.