Keynote address by Mr. Meles Zenawi: prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Abstract

Keynote address by Mr. Meles Zenawi Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Mr. Meles, on his remarks highlighted that Africa's specific expectations from the climate change negotiations, we need to highlight what is often taken for granted and is thus often missed. Our interest is not to claim compensation for climate change and its damages. Our interest is to prevent that from happening in the first instance. That is our primary interest precisely because Africa's eco-systems are amongst the most fragile in the world and hence highly vulnerable to catastrophic changes due to small changes in temperature. We as the prime victims of climate change and among the primary beneficiaries of a meaningful agreement on the matter cannot but be responsible actors and negotiators. Even as we defend our corner, we cannot but highlight our common humanity and destiny. We cannot but reach out to everyone to curb the insanity that is global warming.