![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
. | ![]() |
. |
![]() By Marlowe HOOD Paris (AFP) Feb 27, 2022
The Russian head of delegation at a major UN climate conference apologised for his country's invasion of Ukraine on Sunday, which he said lacked justification, according to several sources who heard him speak at the virtual meeting. The surprise intervention from Russia's Oleg Anisimov at the closed-door meeting followed an electrifying live statement from his Ukranian counterpart, Svitlana Krakovska, who spoke passionately about her country's plight. "Let me present an apology on behalf of all Russians not able to prevent this conflict," Anisimov said at the closing plenary of the virtual, 195-nation forum, according to three sources who heard him speak. Delegates and observers to the sometimes fraught meetings, which had been scheduled to end Friday, were stunned by the back-to-back statements Sunday, according to half-a-dozen participants. Those who see what is happening, he added speaking in Russian, "fail to find any justification for the attack on Ukraine". The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provided simultaneous translation of his comments into English. AFP did not have access to the original statement in Russian. Ukraine's Krakovska, who has tried to continue working despite the assault on her country, addressed the conference on Sunday morning. "We will not surrender in Ukraine, and we hope the world will not surrender in building a climate resilient future," she said in English, according to multiple sources. "Human-induced climate change and the war on Ukraine have the same roots -- fossil fuels -- and our dependence on them," she added. "Everyone 'in the room' was really moved," said one source, referring to online chats and informal conversations. The statement by Anisimov -- who expressed "huge admiration" for the Ukranian delegation -- came as a particular surprise. "He knows that there is a risk for him, it was a very sincere message," said another participant. When asked by AFP to comment, Anisimov said that his statements "expressed my personal opinion and attitude," and should not be taken as an "official statement of the Russian delegation". Anisimov is a veteran of the IPCC process, first participating as a scientist and expert on the Arctic region. He contributed to earlier reports as a lead author. The two-week IPCC meeting, overshadowed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was tasked with distilling a 3,500-page report on climate impacts and adaptation into a crucial 40-page "Summary for Policymakers," to be made public on Monday. Krakovska expressed her sadness that after years of meticulous work by scientists around the world, the IPCC's findings would now have to "compete for media space with war".
![]() ![]() African nations forced to spend on climate adaptation: study Nairobi (AFP) Feb 26, 2022 African countries are having to spend up to five percent of their annual economic output to shield themselves against the impacts of climate change, even though they emit the least greenhouse gases in the world, a report released Saturday said. The findings, published by the Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa, focus on the costs of warding off climate impacts by strengthening transport infrastructure, shoring up communications, building flood defences and other preventative measures. T ... read more
![]() |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |