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Taiwan should engage on global warming: Annan

"We are living in the same world and have the possibility to do something about the environment."

Kofi Annan, former UN secretary-general

Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan said on Thursday that although Taiwan is outside the UN framework, it should still contribute to addressing the problems of global warming.

Annan now heads the Geneva-based non-governmental organization the Global Humanitarian Forum, which concentrates on the humanitarian impact of climate change on the poor and other vulnerable groups.

In an informal meeting with members of the press in Geneva, Annan was asked by a CNA reporter for his views on the fact that Taiwan, the world's 22nd largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is not a member of the UN and therefore not a part of global cooperative efforts under the UN framework to fight climate change and whether the forum can facilitate the participation of non-UN member states in the global effort.

In response, Annan said on the political side, Taiwan has been trying very hard to join the UN.

"You tried almost every year when I was there and I know the efforts continue with my successor," he said.

"But on the substance of whether a country like Taiwan should become engaged in both mitigation and adaptation, I would say yes," he said.

He said there were more than 200 countries, more than the total number of UN member states, participating in the UN Climate Change Conference in Indonesia, because they realized whether or not they belong to the UN or other world bodies, "we are living in the same world and have the possibility to do something about the environment."

Annan said when facing climate change, each country should take action to deal with the problem without focusing on the issue of participation in certain groups.
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