Torture

Jordan puts its money where its mouth is. As the first Arab country Jordan decided to co-sponsor the annual Anti-torture resolution in the UN last night.

During the last 10 years my country has led the often very difficult negotiations on torture. Torture is – as you would imagine – a very sensitive issue for many countries. It has been difficult to engage some parts of the world in signing up to a co-sponsorship, whereas no country the last number of years has voted against the resolution. But this year Jordan together with Morocco showed the way for the region.

This resolution reminds the world that freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is a fundamental right, that has to be protected under all circumstances and without exception.

Mabrook Jordan…

Way to Copenhagen

Denmark being the host for the Climate change summit in Copenhagen in December I have been asked to give a brief overview of progress and expectations for a new climate agreement. 

But before doing that I would like to stress one thing that has become more and more evident to me here in Jordan as we are progressing towards that summit.

It can be stated very simply: Man made climate change is a FACT. The science is conclusive.

Unfortunately, in this part of the world among many citizens and some political circles, climate change is either considered as not an urgent problem or considered as a western invented conspiracy to slow down the developing world.

Regrettably, it is much worse. Climate change is the challenge of the century.

It is perfectly understandable that in this region that faces so many diverse problems, another difficult issue to deal with is very unwelcome. None the less, climate change is also a security issue. When climate change puts regional food security and regional water supply at risk we will have a very serious security issue at hand. And when this happens – it is probably too late to do something about it.

Two reports: The first “Rising Temperatures – Rising Tensions” from this spring and a second report from Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) to be released in two weeks in Beirut will make this point very clear. Climate change is important – and in particular to this part of the world.

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So how are we progressing towards a deal in Copenhagen? Two days ago the final UN-negotiation round before Copenhagen concluded in Barcelona. The prospect for a deal in Copenhagen is still there. But the negotiations have progressed much slower than what we had hoped for.

A lot of questions – some political, some technical – are left for Copenhagen.

It now seems almost impossible to be able to conclude a legally binding treaty – with all its nitty-gritty – in Copenhagen. What seems to be possible is a political agreement about the substance in a new climate deal. This agreement will according to a specific deadline be transferred into a legal, global text soon after the COP15 summit.

What now is needed is active global involvement from the highest political level in order to get decisions on the political substance of a new climate deal. Even in the absence of formal UN-negotiations the next four weeks will not run idle.

The major economies will meet; some bilateral summits – not least a crucial one between USA and China – will take place. And there will be various meetings in other formats with the sole purpose of paving the way for a deal in Copenhagen.

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Let me now turn to the issue on how we from the Danish side as host look at what is at stake in Copenhagen in December.

At COP15 in Copenhagen we have a choice to make. The moment will be in our hands. We can either seize it – or we can let it go.

Whatever we choose – there is no doubt that future generations will judge us on our ability to make COP15 a decisive moment of change.

We have a responsibility to the future generations as well as towards ourselves. A responsibility to seal the deal in Copenhagen. And deliver a viable solution to one of the greatest challenges of our time.

In Copenhagen we must provide a fundamental response to climate change.

We should initiate a strong global cooperation to transform the world economy. And promote low carbon economic growth and sustainable development.

Our success depends on our ability to reach an agreement that is consistent with science.

In practical terms this means an agreement that limits the rise in global temperature to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore – the deal must be based on the principle of equity. It must support, not delay the fight against poverty. It shall be practicable and promote the vision of sustainable development. And it shall send a clear signal to industry to engage in the transition to a low carbon economy.

We have already come a long way. By now many countries have developed far reaching national emission reduction policies and low carbon development plans. And many others are on their way.

This is indeed encouraging. We are all taking action. We are all realizing that the green agenda is both vital to combat global warming and at the same time part of the response to the global economic crisis.

However – as we act, the challenge is also mounting. If we pool all our plans – if we sum up all the national emission reductions under way – the figures do not add up.

We have to acknowledge this harsh fact. And we have to face the only natural consequence: That we have to do more.

Jointly, we can achieve more than the sum of our individual contributions. That is why we need a global agreement.

Allow me to share with you the Danish vision for a global agreement in Copenhagen.

It should be ambitious. It should be binding. It should correspond to the 2 degrees scenario. And it should constitute the overall political framework for future global efforts against climate change – based on the following 5 key elements:

1) First – Industrialized countries will have to commit to substantial reduction targets in the perspective of 80 pct reduction by 2050. At the same time they must offer binding reduction commitments in the near and medium term.

2) Second – Developing countries should commit to reduce growth in CO2 emissions through unilateral and international supported activities. And we should invite developing countries to estimate indicative figures for their projected future emission patterns.

3) The third element is public financing. Developed countries should commit to finance overseas mitigation and adaptation efforts. And we should also accelerate international research in green technology – and facilitate its dissemination all over the world.

4) The fourth element will be market off-sets with an indication of emission reductions purchased abroad through the carbon market.

5) And finally as the fifth element – we must ensure credibility and verification as part of the agreement. Transparency and mutual trust are key words in this regard.

It could be obtained by a system where both developed and developing countries collect and register information to document their individual efforts. That would be an important confidence builder. And it would establish an important direct link between funding and actions.

Concluding a political agreement of this magnitude requires full engagement at the highest political level.

The political will is there. But the agreement is not.

Success will depend critically on the continued engagement of Heads of States and Governments.

As we approach a global agreement, Denmark intents to invite all Heads of States and Governments to come to Copenhagen and close COP15 at the summit level.

Transforming our individual political commitments into a global agreement will take collective political determination at an unprecedented scale.

It is necessary. It is doable. And it is in our hands.

December is the time. Copenhagen is the venue.

And No – there is no Plan B – because there is no Planet B for us to live on.

 Speech on the occasion of the “Way to Copenhagen” conference at the Columbia University Middle East Research Centre the 8th of November 2009.

Fighter

Welcome to post no. 100

  The movie showing in Jordan will have subtitles in Arabic.

Many young people in Europe and the Middle East find that sports and arts is an alternative way to express and challenge themselves. The Danish contribution to the EU Film festival deals with the themes of intercultural dialogue and youth expression through sports; “Fighter” is about a young Turkish-Danish girl who is not only fighting to improve her Kung Fu skills, but also struggling to cope with the intercultural complications and expectations of society, family and friends as she creates her own identity.
 
The Danish Embassy and MS Action Aid would like to invite you to participate in two events together with the leading actress from the movie, Semra Turan, where you will have the opportunity to debate and experience different ways of self expression in company of young engaged athletes and artists from Denmark and Jordan:
 
The 5^th of November in Amman at King Hussein Cultural Centre at 6pm: A debate about ways and limitations of youth expression with engaged young athletes and artists from Denmark and Amman, including the leading actress. Movie starts at 8 pm.
                   
The 6^th of November in Amman at Al-Hussein Cultural Centre at 5pm: You will have another chance to view the movie “Fighter”.
 
The 7^th of November in Zarqa at King Abdallah Cultural Centre at 3pm: Engaged young athletes and artists from Denmark, Amman and Zarqa will perform, share and debate different ways of self expression through sports and arts. The screening of the movie will take place at 6pm and be followed by a joint discussion with the audience.

Freedom of Press

Reporters Without Borders have made their 2009 index of press freedom public. 

Jordan is 112th on the list – an improvement from last year. Reading the Methodology paper RSF mentions that the Index ”measure the level of self-censorship in each country and the ability of the media to investigate and criticise” which is probably what puts Jordan in the lower half.

On top of the list you find a group of Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland – and Ireland) – all at an equal high score of zero points meaning full freedom of Press.

The first 15 countries are all small and highly developed countries and no one more than roughly double the size of Jordan in population. It seems that size does matter…and there is room for Jordan in the club.

Global Peace Index – DK second most peaceful country

The annual GPI index “Vision of Humanity” was published on the 160th constitution day of Denmark (yesterday that was). DK got a nice gift on the occasion. Once again DK is the second most peaceful (and stable) country in the world. Only NZ is a notch ahead again.

Have a look at the figures and methodology at the GPI site for more info. And try also to make a comparison between two countries – like for instance Denmark and Jordan (ranking 64th). It is clear where the big and decisive differences are. Political instability, likelihood of violent demonstrations and military expenditure.

Looking a bit more closely you will see the very large difference in the driving political factors of democracy and transparency. Very low Jordanian scores on electoral process, functioning of government, political participation, civil liberties and corruption. These political factors are among the most important drivers of peacefulness and stability.