25 October 2001

U.S. Participates in Climate Change Talks

Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula J. Dobriansky will head the U.S. delegation at the next round of negotiations on the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), according to an October 25 announcement by State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher.

This meeting of the conference of the parties on the international agreement, known as COP-7, will be held in Marrakech, Morocco October 29-November 9. The meeting marks the next stage in the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, which calls on nations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases leading to global warming.

While the United States has not signed the Kyoto accord, it has pledged continued support for UNFCCC which commits both developed and developing countries to adopt national programs for mitigating climate change and developing strategies for adapting to its impacts.

Following is the text of the statement from the State Department.

U.S. Department Of State
Office of the Spokesman

October 25, 2001

Press Statement By Richard Boucher, Spokesman

Climate Change Negotiations

Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula J. Dobriansky will lead the United States delegation to the next round of climate change negotiations. The seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-7) will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, October 29 - November 9, 2001. The U.S. will participate in COP-7 as a Party to the UN Framework Convention. The alternate head of the U.S. delegation will be Dr. Harlan L. Watson, Senior Climate Negotiator and Special Representative, U.S. Department of State.

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