Papua New Guinea Declares Boycott of UN Climate Summit as “Waste of Time”

Papua New Guinea has announced a boycott of the upcoming UN climate summit, deeming it a “waste of time” due to unfulfilled promises by major polluters. Foreign Minister Tkatchenko criticized the ineffectiveness of past summits and emphasized a shift towards bilateral climate agreements with ally nations instead of participating in international talks that have not delivered significant results.

Papua New Guinea has officially declared its intention to boycott the forthcoming United Nations climate summit scheduled for next month, which is labeled by officials as a “waste of time” due to its focus on empty commitments made by major polluters. This bold stance taken by a nation with significant environmental stakes is notably rare in the diplomatic landscape surrounding climate negotiations. Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko expressed disillusionment with the summit, stating, “There is no point going if we are falling asleep because of jet lag because we are not getting anything done.” The minister criticized the lack of substantial outcomes from previous summits while highlighting that many developed nations express commitment to climate relief only to see funds funneled into consultancy services rather than impactful solutions. Papua New Guinea, home to the third-largest rainforest globally, is acutely vulnerable to climate change impacts. Tkatchenko remarked, “COP is a total waste of time. We are sick of the rhetoric as well as the merry-go-round of getting absolutely nothing done over the last three years.” He denounced the inequalities inherent in the negotiations, asserting that as a key rainforest nation, Papua New Guinea absorbs pollutants while its situation remains ignored. Previous COP summits have faced mounting criticism due to perceptions of inaction and delays in climate finance deployment, rendering developing nations particularly frustrated. While some nations have walked out of discussions or urged a boycott during past summits due to various grievances, Papua New Guinea’s outright call to abstain marks a significant departure from traditional diplomatic engagement. Instead of participating in the COP discussions, Papua New Guinea intends to pursue bilateral agreements with ally nations, including ongoing negotiations with Singapore. “With like-minded countries like Singapore, we can do 100 times more than COP,” Tkatchenko asserted, indicating a preference for substantive cooperative efforts over ineffective large-scale forums.

The United Nations climate summit, referred to as the COP (Conference of the Parties), serves as a primary global forum where countries negotiate their commitments toward mitigating climate change. Despite the landmark achievements of earlier summits, such as the Paris Agreement, subsequent meetings have faced scrutiny over the apparent lack of concrete follow-up actions and influential nations’ perceived inaction. In particular, many developing nations have expressed frustration with the intricate bureaucracies of climate finance, which are often seen as inadequate to address the urgent needs imposed by climate change.

In summary, Papua New Guinea’s decision to boycott the upcoming COP29 summit underscores its deep frustration with international climate negotiations perceived as ineffectual. By advocating for a shift towards bilateral discussions and partnerships, the nation endeavors to forge more effective climate strategies rather than participating in discussions that yield minimal actionable outcomes. This decision illustrates a broader sentiment among vulnerable nations regarding the need for urgent and practical climate action.

Original Source: www.voanews.com