Gobierno de Reconciliación y Unidad Nacional
Unida Nicaragua Triunfa
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF RECONCILIATION AND NATIONAL UNITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA AT THE X ITALY-LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN CONFERENCE
Second Panel: “Planet - Starting over from the Sea and the Climate: coastal and port cities at the center of de-escalation”.
Rome, 25th and 26th October, 2021
His Excellency, Luigi Di Maio,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic
Her Excellency Mrs. Antonella Cavallari,
Secretary General of the International Italian-Latin American Organization, IILA,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Ministers and Heads of Delegation,
Ladies and Gentlemen Representatives of International Organizations, and special guests who accompany us:
1. We convey the fraternal greetings and wishes of Wellbeing, Health and Peace of the President of the Republic of Nicaragua, Comandante Daniel Ortega Saavedra and Comrade Vice President, Rosario Murillo, to all the Peoples and Governments represented here.
2. We thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MAECI, and the Italian-Latin American International Organization, IILA, for the invitation to this important meeting that consolidates the fraternal relationship between Italy and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, based on historical bonds -cultural, political and economic, on an inclusive and egalitarian multilateralism, for cooperation and respectful dialogue.
3. Since 2007, under the determined political leadership of the President, Comandante Daniel Ortega Saavedra, the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity of Nicaragua has implemented an effective policy of protection and defense of our Mother Earth and Humanity, with very positive results.
4. This policy is been reflected in a transversal manner in all the components of Public Policy, and is manifested in the proposals of the National Human Development Plan. We also have a Development Plan for Our Caribbean Coast 2019-2029, prepared jointly by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Secretariat for the Development of the Caribbean Coast, the Regional Autonomous Governments and the Indigenous Territorial Governments of the upper Wangki and Bocay Rivers.
5. Consistent with this policy, it is important to mention that Nicaragua was the first country to sign the “Universal Declaration of the Common Good of Earth and Humanity”, in 2010.
Mr. President:
6. Nicaragua firmly believes in multilateralism to address, within the framework of sovereign equality, respectful cooperation and with a constructive spirit, all the challenges that our planet faces, particularly the existential threat that Climate Change represents for all the Peoples of our world.
7. Our country is Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), since 1995, and in 1999 we ratified the Kyoto Protocol, and the Doha Amendment in 2020, for the second period of commitments and National Contributions.
8. These international instruments established mandates and commitments for developed countries, including the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capacities; the Clean Development Mechanisms; Technology Transfer; and legally binding emission reduction commitments for developed countries, known as Annex 1.
9. The diplomatic efforts promoted by Nicaragua in international negotiations on Climate Change are strictly adhered to science, which has allowed Nicaragua to achieve important consensus among developing countries.
10. In 2018, Nicaragua was elected by developing countries in the Green Climate Fund to represent them as Co-chair of the Board of Directors, and subsequently, served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Green Climate Fund in the year 2019, maintaining to date its participation as Advisor to that Board.
Mr. President:
11. Nicaragua is one of the least polluting countries on the planet, since it represents only 0.02% of total Greenhouse Gas emissions worldwide. However, we are one of the countries most affected by Climate Change.
12. In the framework of the global climate crisis, and the constructive participation of our country in the Conference of the Parties, Nicaragua has presented before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, four Declarations that are vital for global efforts toward reversing the catastrophic effects of climate change to yield results. The Declarations presented by Nicaragua for COP26 are the following:
1. Declaration of Central America and the Caribbean as a region highly vulnerable to extreme climatic events: This states that the countries of the Central American and Caribbean region are impacted by extreme climatic events with greater frequency in recent years, and that both by their Natural characteristics such as geographical location, high poverty rate and social deficits, make up one of the most vulnerable and threatened regions in the face of climate change. Therefore, the UNFCCC should declare the Central American and Caribbean region as a Highly Vulnerable Region to Climate Change.
2. Declaration to elevate Losses and Damages to the same category as Mitigation and Adaptation: In which it is stated that the losses and damages caused by climate change are already occurring throughout the world and that scientific estimates in this regard, already are being produced. As a consequence, it is essential that the issues of Losses and Damages be considered as an equally relevant category as Mitigation and Adaptation.
3. Declaration on the Urgency of Preserving and Recovering Forests: Taking into account that forests play an essential role in the existence of all living beings on the planet's surface, and that for human beings, they plays a vital role for survival of our species.
4. Declaration on Climate Justice with Reparation: Taking into account the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, as well as Historical Responsibilities in this regard, that govern the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and considering that developed countries are the main culprits of Greenhouse Gas emissions, the destruction of ecosystems through the consumption of raw materials and the deterioration of the world climate, as has been scientifically proven.
Mr. President:
13. The Government and People of Nicaragua recognize the consolidation of the Italo-Latin American International Organization, IILA, as a privileged forum for inter-governmental dialogue, as well as the growing relevance for each member state, of the expansion and diversification of the initiatives undertaken herein of, in the context of adapting its own work-program in order to fulfill the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
14. We recognize the valuable cooperation that the Italian Republic and the IILA offer to the Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, and from Nicaragua we ratify our commitment to continue strengthening the bonds of Brotherhood that unite our Peoples and Governments.
I Thank You.