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Warsaw, 01 July 2008 The issues on the agenda included discussion on the status of preparation to and implementation of the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, serving as the 4th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (MOP4) that is to be held on 1-12 December, 2008, in Poznan, Poland. The actions aimed at counteracting climate change were also discussed. Professor Maciej Sadowski of the Institute of the Environmental Protection and Mr. Jakub Siewko of the COP14/MOP4 Organisation Team also participated. In his address, Minister Maciej Nowicki emphasised tremendous role the non-governmental environmental organisations play in promotion among the public of the climate change issues, particularly those of the UN Climate Change Conference, as well as in support of the activities managed by the Polish Government in this regard. He emphasised lacking interest on the part of Polish media in this matter. Professor Maciej Sadowski presented the substantive tasks concerning preparation being made for the December Climate Change Conference, including also the major objectives to be achieved during the Conference, as well as the opportunities to their implementation. Mr. Jakub Siewko presented the logistic preparation to the COP14/MOP4, with specific emphasis put on the issues which relate to the opportunities for non-governmental organisations to participate in the Conference. In this context, the representatives of non-governmental environmental organisations signalised the lack of resources they face with regard to carrying out their promotional and educational activities in the field of climate change, and proposed that the "rapid path for the climate protection applications" be established with the resources of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. They also made comments on the lack of information on the Government?s standpoints expected as the response to both the numerous proposals being moved by the UNFCCC Convention and the Government's activities. Despite the aforementioned problems, the representatives of NGOs expressed their willingness to provide assistance in the field of dissemination of knowledge on and counteracting the climate change. The proposals put forward by the environmental NGOs have been forwarded to the COP14/MOP4 Organisation Team. (-) Michał Nurzyński Director, Department of Education and Public Relations |