Lusa – The President of Timor-Leste said on Thursday that the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP), which is taking place in Azerbaijan, is unlikely to be very different from the others in terms of funding.
"I don't think it will be very different from COP 28 and other COPs. Decisions, agreements or treaties are approved, then commitments are made and, in general, they don't result in funding," Jose Ramos-Horta told Lusa when asked about his expectations for COP29.
COP 29, which began on Monday in Baku, will run until the 22nd and one of its main objectives is to determine funding for climate action.
Timor-Leste was represented at COP 29 by the Ambassador for Climate Change, Adao Soares Barbosa.
The Timorese president said that appeals have been answered with promises of financial support, but there is a delay in establishing financial mechanisms.
For Jose Ramos-Horta, climate change also affects rich countries, giving as an example the recent floods in Spain, which caused more than 200 deaths.
"That's why it's becoming increasingly difficult for the rich countries themselves to disburse money," he emphasised.
"The best solution is for each of us, in our own countries, with the means we have, to replant, to resurrect, what we ourselves have destroyed. We and so many other countries around the world," suggested the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Stating that in the case of Timor-Leste it is not foreigners who cut down trees or throw rubbish and plastic in the streets, the president argued that everyone needs to take responsibility.
"It wasn't foreign governments that authorised plastic to come to Timor. We authorised it. It's our responsibility too. What we must do is mobilise to replant trees, clean up rivers, beaches and seas," insisted Jose Ramos-Horta.
"If the international community wants to play the game of pointing fingers at each other, they can continue, but it won't solve the problem. The problem will be solved when each of us does everything we can with our resources to plant trees, clean up rivers and seas," he added.
The Timorese president was speaking to Lusa on the sidelines of the inauguration of the plant, food and art festival, called "Go Green, Buy Local", which will be held at the Timorese Presidency until Saturday, to promote entrepreneurship among Timorese women and environmental sustainability.