Statement on the withdrawal of Ambassador Khan as Chief Negotiator for the Fiji Presidency
2 March 2018
2 March 2018: It is with regret that Climate Action Network notes that H.E. Ambassador Shameem Khan has been withdrawn from her role as chief negotiator for the delegation of Fiji to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Ambassador Khan’s strong and visionary leadership has been instrumental in shaping several important outcomes from COP23, particularly the legacy of the Fiji Presidency in unveiling the Talanoa Dialogue for increased climate ambition and in placing communities at the centre of climate action.
The departure of Ambassador Khan at this juncture poses uncertainty around the extent to which the Talanoa Dialogue process can reach its full potential, just as important work is underway to invite constructive and inclusive contributions to the Dialogue in the run up to COP24.
Having had a strong influence in shaping the Talanoa Dialogue and in forging important relationships, we hope Ambassador Khan will continue to participate in this process and lend her support to pave the way for its success.
We welcome Ambassador Luke Daunivalu to his new position and look forward to supporting him as a leader and strong advocate for climate ambition in the fight to keep global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
As the COP Presidency continues until December 2018, Fiji must engage with Poland and other countries to keep up the pace and momentum of work under the Talanoa Dialogue while managing the important political dynamics at the climate negotiations at COP24.
It is absolutely crucial that this year countries step up to show that they intend to enhance commitments in their Nationally Determined Contributions and ramp up ambition by 2020, as well as adopt a rulebook that will bring the Paris Agreement to life.
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About Climate Action Network:
Climate Action Network (CAN) is a global network of over 1200 NGOs working to promote government and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels. www.climatenetwork.org
For more information, contact Dharini Parthasarathy, Communications Coordinator, Policy, CAN International; email: dparthasarathy@climatenetwork.org, or whatsapp/call on +918826107830
