4 December 2008: The International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus, attended by 92 countries, expressed its “deep concern that the international community is now challenged by the severe impact on development of multiple, interrelated global crises and challenges,” highlighting increased food insecurity, volatile energy and commodity prices, climate change and a global financial crisis.

The Conference, which convened from 29 November to 2 December 2008, in
Doha, Qatar, concluded with the adoption of a draft outcome document
that includes a paragraph on climate change noting that “the concern of
the international community about climate change has increased markedly
since the adoption of the Monterrey Consensus.” In the document, States
further call for the efforts to tackle climate change to be in
accordance with the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities. They reiterate “the
importance of reaching an agreed outcome” at the fifteenth session of
the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, to be held in Copenhagen
in December 2009, and urge “all parties to engage constructively in
negotiations consistent with the Bali Action Plan.”
The outcome document also notes the financing for development
implications that addressing this phenomenon will have. It therefore
underlines the substantial additional costs on all countries, and thus
the required additional resource mobilization, including from the
private sector. States also underscored the pressing needs of those
countries most vulnerable to climate change, such as “the least
developed countries, small island developing States, and other affected
countries in Africa.” The States parties to the Kyoto Protocol also
welcomed the launching of the Adaptation Fund within the structure of
the UNFCCC and looked forward to its early operationalization with full
support. [Conference Website]