I can unite the world on climate, says Rudd

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Cynthia Banham Foreign Affairs Reporter
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/i-can-unite-the-world-pm/2007/12/04/1196530678978.html

AUSTRALIA will take on a highly ambitious and activist role on the international stage under the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, who has unveiled a grand plan for uniting the world on climate change.

Heralding a significant shift in foreign policy from the Howard era, Mr Rudd - former diplomat and China expert - told the Herald yesterday he intended to use Australia's new position as a member of the Kyoto club to "bridge the gap" between developed and developing countries on future emissions controls.

In his first newspaper interview as Prime Minister, Mr Rudd admitted it was an enormous challenge but said Australia had a "national and international responsibility to the next generation" to do everything it could to counter the threat of climate change.


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Having freshly ratified the Kyoto Protocol, Mr Rudd will personally hand Australia's instrument of ratification to the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

He will also meet the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, and the former US vice-president, Al Gore. In his talks with Dr Yudhoyono, Mr Rudd said he would cover the "entire spectrum" of Australia's relationship with Indonesia, including the adequacy of security co-operation.

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1. Wow, as Prime Minister he will have quite the bully pulpit

to get the environmental agenda heard and acted upon.

Good for him. Wonder how many of our presidential candidates are paying attention.