Elizabeth May joins Afghanistan delegation at climate change conference

No, she hasn't emigrated to Afghanistan.

But Green Party leader Elizabeth May is now part of the Afghan delegation at a U.N. climate conference currently taking place in Warsaw.

The full-fledged Canadian isn't part of her own country's delegation because she wasn't invited to be.

"The Harper administration continues its outrageous practice of sending delegations to international meetings, not representing Canada, but representing the Conservative Party of Canada," May wrote in a blog post.

"Only Jim Prentice as environment minister did what all previous governments have done and include opposition MPs in the delegation."

"I am here with my way paid by the Green Party of Canada and I will receive my U.N. credentials through my membership in the Global Greens."

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So why is she joining Afghanistan of all countries?

Being part of a national delegation — rather than going simply as an observer — allows May to attend every room and every negotiation.

In return, the Afghans get an environmental lawyer and climate policy expert on their team.

"I am volunteering to assist a country that has had such a difficult experience through war and conflict. In UN terms, Afghanistan is described as “post-conflict," May wrote.

"In the climate negotiations, Afghanistan works within two country groups – the G77 and China (that’s one group, chaired in this session by Fiji), and the LDCs (least developed countries, chaired in this session by Nepal). These are groups pressing for more climate action and sooner.

"As an advisor to the Afghanistan delegation, I assist in policy advice, as well as helping them by taking notes in sessions where the small delegation could not stretch to participate."

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Canada's delegation is led by Minister of Environment Leona Aglukkaq. She arrived in Warsaw on Monday.

This 19th Conference of the Parties (COP 19) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change concludes on November 22nd.

(Photo courtesy of the Green Party of Canada)

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