Commonwealth leaders on Sunday called for global efforts to address challenges brought about by climate change.

In a communique issued at the end of the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Sri Lankan capital, the leaders said climate change poses a major challenge to all countries, particularly climate vulnerable developing countries.

They said this challenge should be addressed on the basis of the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and in accordance with, among other things, equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

"In this context they underscored the necessity for timely conclusion of the negotiations on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action to result in a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties to be adopted by 2015," says the communique.

The leaders agreed to progress consideration of the Commonwealth Expert Group on Climate Finance's recommendations, including through consultations with existing climate finance mechanisms, to explore the potential for simplified access arrangements for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The leaders called for efforts to disseminate the findings of the report amongst members of the UNFCCC and relevant institutions with a view to ensuring broad engagement of climate financing mechanisms in the Commonwealth's efforts to progress improved access to existing climate funds by SIDS and LDCs. Endi

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