NOTE TO EDITORS: Environment and Conservation Minister to participate in United Nations� Conference on Climate Change (COP11)

The United Nations� Conference on Climate Change, COP 11, is taking place in Montreal November 28 to December 9. This is an international event which marks the 11th meeting of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP 11 is being held in conjunction the first meeting of the parties (MOP1) who signed the Kyoto Protocol. It is projected to be the largest intergovernmental climate change conference since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 with 8,000 to 10,000 participants expected from around the world.

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne will attend COP11 from December 5-7. During this time, Minister Osborne will participate in a number of events and meetings, including the Climate Leaders Summit, a meeting of political and business leaders from around the world to discuss success stories and solutions for addressing climate change. The group is expected to identify common objectives and cooperative measures to tackle climate change issues. The minister will also meet with provincial counterparts to discuss national issues, attend discussions on potential post-Kyoto agreements and attend presentations the science of climate change and related technologies.

�It is indeed an honour and a privilege to represent the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador at an international event of this magnitude,� said Minister Osborne. �Our government understands the seriousness and importance of addressing climate change and that is why we developed our provincial Climate Change Action Plan. Attending events such as COP 11 gives us an opportunity to both learn what other jurisdictions are doing and to share with others our practices and priorities for addressing climate change.�

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-4401

2005 12 02                          12:50 p.m.