The Prime Minister stressed the importance of reaching a binding agreement for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and implementing effective mitigation and adaptation measures. He said the next round of international climate negotiations, scheduled for Durban next month, will be tough. The proposals presented by the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Climate Change Financing, which Stoltenberg led last year with Ethiopia's Prime Minister, need to be followed up.
Secretary-General Ban emphasized the need for innovation to find lasting solutions to the climate challenges facing the world. He emphasized that the High-Level Panel has produced an important foundation for further work. The panel's final report focused on innovative finance mechanisms to fund measures that limit the effects of climate change in developing countries. Taxing international financial transactions, aviation and bunker oil are among the suggestions.
On Tuesday the Prime Minister received an award for Norway's efforts in combating climate change, securing sustainable energy for all and promoting the UN Millennium Development Goals. Stoltenberg was honored as The Champion for Global Change at the annual Global Leadership Dinner of the UN Foundation and United Nations Association of the USA.
In addition to the Prime Minister, the following also received recognition at the dinner; UN Under Secretary-General for Field Support Susana Malcorra, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Asma Jahangir, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson and the rock group Linken Park. The latter used part of their acceptance speech to announce that they will champion the Secretary-General’s Energy For All initiative, which Norway is a key supporter of.