Business

Manuel on UN climate change panel

10 March 2010

South African Planning Minister Trevor Manuel is to serve on a high-level United Nations advisory group on climate change financing.

In a statement on Tuesday, his ministry said the group of 19 experts would be co-chaired by United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The group, launched in February, is tasked with getting finance to help developing countries to combat climate change.

"The group is tasked with creating practical proposals to boost both short- and long-term financing for mitigation and adaptation strategies in developing countries."

The group consists of high-level officials from ministries and banks, as well as experts on public finance and development.

It includes President Bharrat Jagde of Guyana and Norway Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The group meets in London for its first session on 29 March.

It is expected to present its initial outputs before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change during a "full negotiating session" in New York in May.

Sapa