Qatar wins bid to host COP18

Qatar will host the 2012 Conference of Parties (COP 18), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has announced November 29, 2011.

“The 2012 UN Climate Change Conference, COP 18/CMP 8 (the 18th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC, plus the 8th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol), will take place in Qatar from November 26 to 7 December 2012” says UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres who made the announcement during the ongoing COP 17 in Durban, South Africa.

Even though South Korea lost the bid to Qatar, the UN body announced that the Asian country will host the preparatory ministerial meetings ahead of the 18th round of talks.

“We are very grateful to both countries (Korea and Qatar) for having come out to offer to host this event for us, it comes to show the trust they have in us,” a statement issued by the Economic Commission for Africa quoted Figueres as saying.

The decision to host the 2012 talks in Qatar emphasises the emerging focus on the country that is also preparing to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. South Korea is to host the preparatory ministerial meetings ahead of the 18th round of talks, the statement said.

The UN uses a rotational system in deciding UNFCCC venues and the host government acts as the chief mediator and plays a key role in ensuring a successful outcome of such talks.

By Ekow Quandzie