fundamental to any long-term multilateral frameworkfor the mitigation of GHG emissions. In particular,UNWTO has recently called for the application of theUNFCCC principle of Common but DifferentiatedResponsibilities amongst countries to alleviatenegative impacts on tourism in developing countries,where the sector accounts for as much as 45 per centof the service export earnings. TOURISM AT COP16United Nations climate negotiations represent ahistorical opportunity to meet the challenge of creatinga more sustainable planet; an opportunity not to be missed. In particular, COP16 is a platform from which toformalise pledges and promises made to cut and limitemissions and provide clarity on the continuation ofthe Kyoto protocol. It is also a chance to ensure thatthe funding pledges coming out of Copenhagen -US$30 billion in climate support for developingeconomies, with a goal of reaching US$100 billion inannual funding by 2020 - start flowing. Some of thisfunding could be channelled into sustainable tourismprojects, providing key development options for local communities. From the tourism perspective, it is a chance tocontinue pushing for the sector to be seen as a wholewithin the evolving UN framework, and to ensure thatits positive effects on economic growth, developmentand poverty alleviation, not just air emissions, providethe content for debate. nABOUT THE AUTHORDr Taleb Rifai was elected Secretary-General of theUNWTO on May 12, 2009.Prior to that, he wasDeputy Secretary-General of the UNWTO and, from1999 to 2003, the Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. His other posts included that of the Director ofJordan's Economic Mission to Washington, theDirector-General of the Jordanian InvestmentPromotion Corporation and the Chairman of theJordan Tourism Board. Dr Rifai also served as the Minister of Planning andInternational Cooperation from 1995 to 1997, whenhe was actively involved in policy making anddeveloping investment strategies . Dr Rifai was responsible for founding Jordan's firstArchaeological Park in the ancient city of Petra, incollaboration with UNESCO and the World Bank, and other projects in Jerash, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum. 076TOURISM" "THE COPENHAGEN ACCORD HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY OVER 110 COUNTRIES, REPRESENTING AT LEAST 80 PER CENT OF WORLD EMISSIONS AND A SIMILAR PERCENTAGE OF GDP.UN Photo/WFP/Amjad Jamal Above:Climate Groupfounder Dr StephenHoward Pictured:Victims of2010 floods in Pakistan.Despite emitting the leastgreenhouse gases,developing countries arethe regions most at riskfrom climate change.

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