Chilean Government cancels UN Climate Summit – Oxfam reaction
Responding to the decision by the Government of Chile not to host the UN Climate Change Summit in December 2019 following weeks of social unrest, Asier Hernando, Deputy Director of Oxfam in Latin America and the Caribbean said:
“Oxfam supports the right of the Chilean people to peaceful protest, and their right to demand that their Government works in the interests of all citizens and not just a fortunate few. We condemn the heavy-handed response of the Chilean Government to the protests.
“The same flawed economic policies that have sparked protests on the streets of Chile are fuelling the global climate crisis and the global inequality crisis. Urgent action is needed by governments to build economies that put people and the environment before economic growth and corporate profits.
“With time running out to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown, the United Nations must work with governments to ensure that international talks do not lose momentum and that COP 25 finds an alternative home – ideally in Latin America.”
Oxfam Australia’s Climate Change Policy Advisor Simon Bradshaw said with so much at stake, he expected COP25 to go ahead with a new host as soon as possible and that people would be working around the clock to find a solution.
“As a global community, we are very quickly running out of time to dramatically curb global climate pollution before it is too late to prevent truly catastrophic climate damage and millions more people being driven into poverty,” Dr Bradshaw said.
“Australia’s neighbours throughout the Pacific as crying out for greater action from Australia, as they are facing ever more grave threats to their livelihoods, security and wellbeing from sea level rise, salt water intrusion and more destructive storms. Whatever happens with COP25, Australia must immediately step up its efforts.”
