11 November 2009
Countries most vulnerable to climate change said they were "gravely concerned" about the downgrading of expectations for December's climate change conference in Copenhagen.
They called on developed countries to provide public money equal to at least 1.5% of their gross domestic product, in addition to existing official development assistance.
Their statement came at the close of the Maldives Vulnerable Countries Conference which ended yesterday.
Environment ministers from the Maldives, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Vanuatu among others also called upon all countries to follow the Maldives's lead and become carbon neutral.
The representatives came from some of the world’s poorest countries – including those that will be the worst affected by climate change over the next century.
Floods, droughts, cyclones and other climate-related disasters are already affecting the developing world, but to date international negotiations on tackling climate change have been dominated by the voices and concerns of the developed world.
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A jetty on the Maldives shoreline. Picture: Yannis Kontos/Panos
