Malaysia likely to sign global warming treaty
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is likely to sign an international treaty aimed at reducing global warming, changing its previous stand on the matter.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Economic Affairs) Datuk M. M. Sathiah said a decision would be made soon on whether Malaysia would sign the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
He added that the Government was reconsidering its stand due to expected implications to the country once the treaty was enforced.
Malaysia had refrained from adopting the treaty, maintaining that it was weak because of omission of schedules committing developed countries to cut back on emissions of greenhouse gases.
"It will be helpful if we are in the Conference of Parties (countries which are parties to the treaty) as we can then steer the direction of the convention," said Sathiah, who had just returned from the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the convention in New York.
"‘We are seriously considering signing the agreement."
It would come into force when signed and ratified by at least 50 countries, a number which he said was likely to be reached by mid-1994.
Twelve countries have signed and ratified the convention so far. Sathiah said the latest meeting failed to reach a consensus on funds for the convention as developing countries want a separate fund under the Global Environmental Facility.
"They are against the developed countries’ proposal for a general fund for all environmental projects, fearing that there will not be sufficient resources for effective implementation of the convention."
Source : April 3 1993
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