Catholic organisations launch dialogue at the UN to influence upcoming climate negotiations

Photo by Tommy Trenchard/Caritas

Worst flood in Myanmar in July 2015 which causes damage to homes and crops. Photo by Tommy Trenchard/Caritas

Caritas Internationalis* and CIDSE** have organised a high-level dialogue at the United Nations to make sure the faith voice rings out strong and clear in the run-up to the Paris COP21 climate summit in November.

The event is an answer to Pope Francis’ call in the encyclical Laudato Si’ to everyone on the planet to enter into dialogue about how to best shape the future of our common home.

Representing over 180 Catholic relief and development organisations worldwide, the two Catholic bodies will use their vast experience to ensure that upcoming climate negotiations will lead to a just and legally binding climate agreement which will ensure the poor will no longer pay the price for global climate damage.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, President of Caritas Internationalis, will lead the dialogue. Other speakers include: Nicolas Hulot, Special Envoy of the French President for the Protection of the Planet; Pa Ousman Jarju, Minister of Environment of the Gambia; H.E. Taukelina Finikaso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu; Marie-Christine Marghem, Minister of Environment, Belgium; Simone Filippini, CIDSE board member and CEO of Cordaid; Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana; Carolyn Woo, President & CEO of Catholic Relief Services; Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri, Bishop of Huehuetenango, Guatemala; Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Holy See Secretary for the Relations with States; Bernd Nilles & Michel Roy Secretaries General of CIDSE  Caritas Internationalis.

The event will take place on 26th September at 6.30pm at the United Nations.

While the event is not open to the press, please see contacts below for more information or to arrange interviews with speakers or participants before or after the event.

The day before Pope Francis will address the United Nations General Assembly.

Caritas Internationalis delegation will also be in New York for the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Media contacts

Ryan Worms (in New York): +1 514 770 9363 Ryan.Worms@devp.org
Valentina Pavorotti: (in Brussels): +32 (0)491 39 54 75 pavarotti@cidse.org
Michelle Hough: (in Rome): +39 334 234 4136 hough@caritas.va

* Caritas Internationalis is a global confederation of 165 relief and development organisation.
** CIDSE
is an international alliance of 17 development agencies.

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