Decision -/CP. 7

The Marrakesh Ministerial Declaration
The Ministers and other heads of delegation present at the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
Mindful of the objective of the Convention, as set out in Article 2,

Reaffirming that economic and social development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of the developing country Parties,

Believing that addressing the many challenges of climate change will make a contribution to achieving sustainable development,

Recognizing that the World Summit on Sustainable Development provides an important opportunity for addressing the linkages between climate change and sustainable development,

1. Note the decisions adopted by the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties in Marrakesh, constituting the Marrakesh Accords, that pave the way for the timely entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol;
2. Remain deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing countries, including the least developed countries and small island States, face increased risk of negative impacts of climate change;
3. Recognize that, in this context, the problems of poverty, land degradation, access to water and food and human health remain at the centre of global attention; therefore, the synergies between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, should continue to be explored through various channels, in order to achieve sustainable development;
4. Stress the importance of capacity building, as well as of developing and disseminating innovative technologies in respect of key sectors of development, particularly energy, and of investment in this regard, including through private sector involvement, market-oriented approaches, as well as supportive public policies and international cooperation;
5. Emphasize that climate change and its adverse impacts have to be addressed through cooperation at all levels, and welcome the efforts of all Parties to implement the Convention;
6. Request the President of the Conference of the Parties at its seventh session and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to continue to participate actively in the preparatory process for the World Summit, and in the Summit itself, and to report thereon to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth session.