2020 Baiqiao Summit (Kylaris, IC)

[Luziyca]

Tsuru Mawere listened intently to the speeches that succeeded him. Wilton-Smyth, Jung, Rozak, and many others had relatively uninteresting speeches: sure, they were diverse, but there was not a single thing that he could latch on to.

But then there was Chancellor Otto von Hösslin. While Von Hösslin's speech seemed relatively uncontroversial at first, two sentences in his speech caught his attention: Von Hösslin had managed to accuse Coius of single-handedly causing this problem of climate change, and on proposing "stricter policies" on Coian development.

That was unacceptable to Mawere, and quite presumably, to all of the developing nations situated across the Coian continent. To allow Euclea to continue profiting off of the mines and other mineral resources on Coius, while denying Coians the right to determine their own path to the future, struck a nerve with him. Even if Wilton-Smyth may privately express these same thoughts, at least he can be convinced that it was directed at the socialists. Not so with Von Hösslin.

After all the opening speeches were concluded, and Yuan made his remarks to help steer the summit in a certain direction, Mawere was free to respond.

"Your excellencies," Mawere began. "while we need to acknowledge that the northern nations in Euclea and the Asterias should bear the bulk of the costs to helping the world transition to sustainable development, we need to look at ourselves as well: just because Euclea and Asteria followed a certain path to the standards of living that they enjoy today does not mean that we must commit ourselves on that same path."

"I believe that nations who have committed themselves to this path of development, particularly Xiaodong and Zorasan, should also commit some funds: not as much as the northerners, to be sure, but they should contribute at least some money to help ensure that their economies transition to a new world where climate change can be halted," Mawere said. "For nations who are beginning to develop, who are beginning to see their economies grow, it is prudent, in my opinion, for the poorest of the poor to not pay a single cent."

"Instead, nations that are beginning to develop, like Mabifia, like Masari, like Yemet, or yes, even my beloved Rwizikuru, should learn from the mistakes of others. We must abandon this notion that we should emulate the development of Euclea and Asteria to achieve these standards of living: we must instead commit to sustainable development, so that we can live a better life for our children, without pushing our world over the brink. Contrary to what some may say, it is possible to undergo sustainable development on a national scale, especially if we poor nations learn from the mistakes of others.."

"On this note, it is clear that we need a bank to help developing nations like my own, like Zorasan, Xiaodong, and many others, to help transition to this new economy," Mawere declared. "However, I firmly disagree with Chairman Yuan's assertion about the Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs' role in this proposed bank."

"These policies have proven successful in instituting economic growth in countries that have embraced it: Sivartha, Caldia, Werania, Etruria, just to name a few. Meanwhile, countries who failed to embrace neoliberalism, like my own, did not see as strong of a growth between 1980 and 2005, suggesting that economic liberalism is the only way out of this crisis," Mawere said. "There have been reports of innovations which can be used to reduce the effects on climate change on nations that need it most, and it would be very inappropriate for nations to acquire loans from the fund, only for the money to be spent on a jetplane for their ruler."

"Thus, I feel that the rules that the Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs have set out would ensure a balance between economic development and environmental protection, which would help improve the world for the benefit of the people, and not the privileged elite," Mawere concluded.

[Alleniana]

Ganobiunu Moagameme, President of the Congress of Twenties Committee on Foreign Relations - Dezevau

Viktor was not wrong. The truth was that climate change was just not on radars at the international level. Perhaps in another decade or two, when a new generation had grown up immersed in the idea, or when fossil fuel companies were rivalled by green energy ones, or when storms and droughts and floods and fires were battering at the gates of public attention, things would be different. Then, maybe, these conferences would be rather less out of touch with reality on these matters. Or maybe not. Time would tell.

It would probably not tell most of the assembled dignitaries, though. Most, including her, could honestly expect to die before any of the worst effects of climate change were expected. Of course, action would avert them, but even were action not taken, it would be an issue more for future generations than hers. She reflected on this disconnect as she waited to speak. Remember, I'll die someday, as every parent would say to their children. And so the cycle would continue; the hope was that enough action could be taken now to allow those who would follow to build on it. She would try to do that here, what little she could, in this capacity she had been afforded. Optimistic as she might choose to be, most of those gathered probably did not take climate change seriously, in all truth. She would have to exercise diplomacy and tact and strategy, and take what she could get.

She glanced over at her friend, the President of the Presidium of that great socialist land over the seas. Perhaps he was a little more enthusiastic about their host's speech, perhaps a little less so than her about the Rwizikuran's. It was no matter either way. She could work with things.

I thank the speakers for their remarks. In particular, I want to pick up the thread our gracious host left upon. We are a global community, and while I never want to disregard the importance of the gulf between Global North and South, we must be wary not to fall into any false antagonism. Climate change is a uniquely universal issue, and we would be well served to take heed of the maxim that posits to each according to their ability, and to each according to their needs. The Global North does need to shoulder the greater part of the burden in tackling this issue. But let us not account for it in grudges and blame, but because the Global North is where the forces of history have deposited the capital of centuries, and emitted the greenhouse gases therefrom. Those proud to enjoy economic advantage and status on the world stage should be proud to take up responsibility for the challenge of our generation. Those peoples who have been denied dignity in the past can strive simultaneously for that dignity, and to contribute to the solution of climate change, by taking up the new green development.

While we understand our situation through a framework of states, meanwhile, I think it is pertinent to mention differences within. It is common in liberal economies for the richest 10% to produce half of all lifestyle emissions. Many of the decisions that are taken by the biggest companies in the world cause enormous emissions, but are made for the good of a handful of capitalists. Emissions from production harms all, but often, production is undertaken for the benefit of only a small minority, who must be made to recognise their membership in the human community. We recognise the truth in the idea that the peasant farmer and the CEO are both human beings, deserving of a full life, but action against climate change will be incoherent where it regards their contributions to emissions as equivalent.

An investment bank for transitions to sustainability, then, is a good idea. In truth, I think there are greater ambitions we can aspire to, but the fundamental mechanism of lending capital to those who need it is one which the international community of states should be able to work soundly with. It will, however, only function, and only be just, if it is in fact truly democratic.

Climate change does not only affect capitalistic states, nor does it only affect those which are not. Though I could take the opportunity to note the poverty and inequality, insecurity, commodification of public values, consumerism and terrible periodic instability associated with liberal economies, it is not really the point. The bank must not be founded on premises of profit, or the interests of the rich, or the dogmas of ideologues. Its basis, if it is to be credible at all, must be the life and wellbeing of all people in a world affected by climate change. It cannot do that by presuming or imposing a particular system, by ignoring a very great number of states for its own purposes. Rather than attempting regime change, any posited bank must deal evenhandedly and justly. That is the least it can do.

[Liecthenbourg]

Monique Degar-Abdulrashid
President of Gaullica

Monique's entrance into the congress had been as well-received as she had anticipated. The sympathetic smiles, synthetic or organic, were there. The reassuring platitudes that would likely come later from fellow world leaders congratulating the newest of their 'flock' to join them were something that teetered on the fringes of her conscience. She did wonder what would come after this initial meeting: who would go where? With whom? What blocks would congregate to talk strategy. She paired off von Hösslin, the Weranic Ogre -- or was it Goblin? -- with the infamous 'RWS'. Carcaterra could fit into that club. As could Reika Okura. Walker would trudge along, aiming to keep the EC as one.

But where would she herself fit? Of course she would fit with them, given that relationships of their countries. But her positions were far different, at least in the manner in which they'd been spoken about, up until now. Hösslin and Wilton-Smyth were climate change deniers in one form or the other. All the more eager to pawn off its ills and consequences onto the developing world. If only it were so easy to resign the fate of the world on those who really couldn't do anything about it.

She straightened her outfit out, tugging at the sleeves of her jacket, as her eyes glanced over to Sikali and then Jung. These two were even more aligned to her, she believed, than her traditional allies.

Finding herself in a bit of a bind, she was brought back into attention with the words of Yuan. He spoke in a new direction of the summit's talks, thanking those for giving their opening statements. His remarks concerned her, though. Much like von Hösslin his view of the affair was skewed. One sided. Throwing the collective responsibility squarely in the net of the developed world. Indeed, the developed world did have a fair share of the moral, economic and environmental responsibility.

But both sides were more than willing to throw the other under the bus. At the very least, these titans of the world were more than willing to absolve their own nations for responsibility. Monique was not a defender of neoliberalism, but there were truths and falsities ascribed to its role in the current state of the world's affair. To hear Yuan criticise it and lay the blame for the world's woes on it, whilst himself undergoing neoliberal-esque reforms for his own country's economic situation, was laughable. Nobody, she assumed, would directly retort this to him. No-one realistically could. But it was the blatant hypocrisy that veiled his words that truly set the tune for the rest of the summit.

This was going to be like pulling teeth.

The words from Mawere, to Monique, were just the beginning of the defences the developing world would push for themselves. If not nipped quickly she was afraid that the tide would turn too fast and too decisively against the global north; against the developed world. And then they'd reach an impasse were nothing would happen and little could be decided. His defence of GIFA was fairly refreshing at least and hoped that, of all those here, Mawere could be persuaded to their line of thinking. Compromise. Coordination. Assisted development in line with green technology.

Ganobiunu's words resonated quite well with the Gaullican President. She was incredibly well spoken. And amongst the states of the developing world, as well as the AES, she seemed to draw the attention of them rather quickly. Monique noted Martynenko sat next to her, nodding affirmatively with her words.

The lines in the sand were being drawn. And fast. She stood up again and looked to the room. Tsabara had been relegated to the back-seat, at least for now, but tackling climate change would be a harder task. A harder one to unify the nations around.

"There is not disputing of the fact that the Global North must shoulder a strong responsibility," Monique Degar-Abuldrashid began as she took the floor again. "But there is a dispute here in that this is solely a responsibility for the developed world. I alluded to this inequality in my opening remarks. There are two paths on which the nations of the world have been travelling. And they are unequal roads. But we cannot continue down this path forever. On the matter of climate change, as we have said to ignore Tsabara for now, it is not a matter of categorising countries into groups of 'them' and 'us'. We have one planet. Climate change is not confined to borders."

Mentally, she frowned. She knew that if she were not strong enough in convincing large swathes of the world would begin likely changing their tune. They would shelve off their own association with this 'global north', likely distance themselves until a core of states -- likely the EC -- was facing off against the whole conference. That was not pleasant.

A hand reached down to a glass of water at her desk and she took a short sip. Setting the glass back down, she resumed speaking. "The Global North, through means of economic aid and investment, as is happening between Gaullica and Garambura, and as is happening with GIFA, will pull its weight. But these developments in the developing world should not follow the same industrial patterns as the rest of the world. The science, the understanding, the technology -- it is all better now than it was during the original industrial revolution. Adhering to the roadmap of coal, natural gas and oil is not viable when it will be required to change these power sources within less than a decade because of climate change."

"Taking the initiative now, taking it strongly, investing in green energy and green infrastructure, will set the developing world ahead of the curve. There will be no requirement for a transition. GIFA's investments will be instrumental. But the suggestions mentioned by some of our fellow leaders should be taken into account -- such as a stipulation for nuclear energy, perhaps -- and there is required state oversight and intervention to prevent the market from continuing to favour corporations over the people."

"I believe and hope that the purpose of this conference, Your Excellencies, should be hammering out these facts. These conditions. We should not resort to a 'blame-game', or boil down an immensely important issue down to an issue that we can attribute to a handful of countries."

[The Holy Dominion of Inesea]

Hwa Hye-Su
Chairwoman of COMSED

It was readily apparent that the young President of Gaullica was was not happy with the way lines were being drawn in the sand. Not in her actions or looks, the Tsabaran woman wore a poker face well, but rather in her words. Which was only, Hwa though, as Gaullica was one of the historically most exploitative Euclean nations and likely the nation everyone thought of first when thinking of the Global North. If the conference turned into a North versus South battle, Gaullica stood to lose more than most. Not that it didn't deserve to do so, being the rapist of so many countries in decades past.

As for the content of the speech, it was alright to Hwa. Euclea alone couldn't enact or fund climate change initiatives for the whole globe. She didn't think that anyone, bar the hard liner climate change deniers, expected Euclea to shoulder it alone. No, the question is how much does Euclea pay for and how much does the developing world pay. For Baekjeong and much of COMSED, even reluctant Senria, the idea of a global green investment fund would be palpable. Especially if Euclea paid for it. Senria would accept no less or no more in obligations than Xiaodong though, which could be a contentious issue. But an issue for later. The real concern right now was President Degar-Abdulrashid's opposition to a transition period and her words on corporate interests. A transition period would be essential for getting Senria's Keirtu to support any deal. A transition period for them was time to still profit from their ample energy investments. A direct transition to green energy in emerging markets would undercut their bottom lines to an extent that Hwa feared to imagine. And any sort of restrictions on corporations with regards to this GIFA deal would again tank the deal in both Senria and Baekjeong. After all, the corporations were, unofficially in Senria but officially in Baekjeong, part of the government. They also deserved their piece of the pie. Hwa mentally sighed.

"Madame President, I don't think many here truly believe that the Global North, for all its wealth, should shoulder the expenses alone of combatting climate change. However it is undeniable that Euclea's, and other imperialist states', wealth and development was built on the exploitation of other continents and the burden of combatting climate change should proportionately represent this past illegitimate redistribution of resources. To quote one your Euclean philosophers 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs' - in this instance it is Euclea that has the most ability and the Global South that has the most need."

Hwa stopped to take a sip from her water. That was a tad more combative than she intended, but what of it really. Most of the attendees just viewed her as a Senrian puppet anyways.

"The matter of the ratio of the commitments aside, I do agree with you that the GIFA proposal is broadly a good plan. However I fear that your aims of avoiding a transition period are too.. idealistic. Without a doubt, a nation today can develop on a more environmentally friendly path than those of decades past. But that path still relies on a core of fossil fuel utilization. Many developing nations have vast reserves of fossil fuels but a dearth of renewables. It would be cruel of us, having developed on the back of oil and coal, to turn about and deny them to those yet to exploit them. Instead of aiming for the end goal, we should structure the program in a series of steps and objectives. For the countries where the jump to green energy is not yet viable, we should encourage better use of fossil fuels. Natural gas can be used as a bridging fuel to get states from coal and oil to green energy for example. I laud your aspirations for skipping the worst parts of industrialization, but while you can mitigate the effects, it is simply not feasible to pass over it entirely. We should establish a system for classifying countries according to their transition to green energy and establish programs under the GIFA prosed program that can target investment at each segment of the transition."

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

Alexis Walker
President of the Euclean Community

"The issue of the cost of climate change is one the Community has agreement on" Walker began.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is critical that we recognize the cost of failing to address climate change. If we take inadequate steps or fail to take any at all, not only will the human and environmental costs but great but so too will the economic cost. Governments, businesses, and individuals alike will see significant adverse economic effects as a result of a changing climate we do not work to address".

She paused for a moment to take a quick glance around the room. It was never easy to read facial expressions in this way, but after years in government Walker had improved her abilities. This was a complicated issue, one on which the Euclean Community was not perfectly unified, but unified enough. The necessary concessions and compromises would end discord.

"Investments in green energy and environmentally conscious infrastructure are ones we as nations must make, and it is an area where the Community is willing to provide economic support. Nations of smaller sizes and with developing economies need our support the most. Many of these governments are unrepresented here today, but for those who are know that the Community hopes to support your efforts. It is also my hope that we will enjoy the support of this conference in achieving this, with additional participation from the international community at large".

[Luziyca]

Tsuru Mawere listened to the speeches that succeeded him. As the speeches wore on, he took notice of Degar-Abdulrashid's speech: her suggestions were admirable, and he would almost definitely see eye-to-eye with her. And while Hwa's speech was largely agreeable to him, Mawere knew that he had to ensure a solution.

As Walker gave her speech, Mawere knew that he can use her speech as a sort of jumping-off point: her sentiments were significantly agreeable to him, and all that really needed to be done was finess the details.

Once the speeches were done, Mawere gave a response.

"Your excellencies, the Kingdom of Rwizikuru is confident that the principles that Presidents Walker and Degar-Abdulrashid have espoused would be the best solution to address this debacle which threatens to paralyze this summit," Mawere declared. "I think most nations in the room would agree with the notion that 'nations of smaller sizes and with developing economies need our support the most,' and I believe that with these guarantees made by Euclea, so long as they are willing to commit to this, Rwizikuru will have no objection to that part of the plan proposed by Mrs. Walker, and I do think that most of this plan should be acceptable to all, save for the matter of transition for countries already reliant on fossil fuels. The only question, of course, is the definition of smaller size, and the definition of developing economy, of which I do not think I am the most qualified to answer."

"As for the sentiments made by Chairwoman Hwa of the Council of Mutual Security and Development, I do agree with her point that we should encourage the more sustainable use of fossil fuels as a sort of bridge to greener technologies, particularly for those developing nations already using fossil fuels to help fuel their development to the standards of living that Eucleans and Asterians are used to. To this end, a transition should be encouraged among these nations, so that they may ascend to the standards of living that the whole world ought to be entitled to. But I think for developing nations not as reliant on fossil fuels as those who are, we should encourage green development right then and there, under the auspices of the GIFA."

With his point made, he had a sip of water, and focused on the next speech.

[Etruria2]

Francesco Aurelio Carcaterra
President of the United Etrurian Federation

With every speech came disappointment. Naturally, the Bahian countries wanted Euclea to fund their transition, what else were these countries supposed to do, suddenly discover self-reliance and some semblance of modern governance? The fact that this was being offered by Euclean nations sat within Carcaterra as vindication, this is what modern Euclean liberalism looked like. When Gaullica’s young president spoke, it was made manifest, the self-loathing, the guilt of success and prosperity, the voluntary prostration before Coius.

As the idea of an international fund for a green transition continued to hold air in this room, the more it enraged the Etrurian president. Why? Why should Etrurian taxpayers be slighted and encumbered to fund economic transitions, that would provide jobs and financial security to countries, who’s economic policies were denying Etrurians and Eucleans alike the very same. Here was a self-destructive idea, a rhetorical flagellation of Euclean civilisation being led by Eucleans. The idea that a hardworking Etrurian family, just about managing in threat of their factory job being stolen by some soulless Xiaodongese state enterprise, paying taxes to fund a bank that would go on to give money to the very same enterprise to “green up” sickened him.

What also worried him with this transition fund, was the subtle hint that a transition would be mandated by GIFA, forced by virtue of its role, Etruria could be condemned into abandoning the use of gas and coal, a lynchpin of his government’s policy toward improving the living standards of Etruria’s working class. How could the Tribune government reduce household costs for the poorest if the cheap electricity would now come from wind turbines, that don’t match the output?

This was a slowly emerging horror show, a car cash in slow motion. Not only was this the talk of the same elite that would devastate the working and lower-middle classes in fear of something not even truly verifiable as a science, but now the international system would be mobilised to hand money from Euclea to the countries most polluting the world and undercutting the Euclean economy.

Carcaterra barely waited for Rwizikuru’s beggar King to finish his speech before rising from his feet.

“Esteemed leaders, I am sure I speak for several Euclean nations when I say that what is being proposed is absurd. The fact that noble nations of Euclea are considering handing money, capital, to developing nations, is troubling. This is not a grand gesture of transition; it is a disaster if the making. Do you, my esteemed colleagues, trust these governments in absolute truth to utilise such funds solely for a transition, when they have shown such disregard for the world as it is? The only reason we are breathing right now is because the Xiaodongese were polite enough to shut down their factories. By the end of this summit, they will reopen, and they will once again churn out poisons into the air. Those poisons being the by-product of an economic system designed to secure growth at any cost, this is repeated not just in Satria, but Zorasan, Kadaria and Bahia.

“And that brings me to the point of my statement. I cannot, as the elected head of the Etrurian government possibly agree to a solution that involves handing over vast sums of Etrurian taxpayers’ money to fund economic reforms in another country. Specifically, I cannot countenance such when the money will go to economies that have been built to undercut Etruria’s and Euclea’s economic base. I will not permit the transfer of money from taxpayers who stand on the edge of being undercut out of their jobs and security by an economic system that treats workers with as much disdain as the atmosphere.

“Furthermore, it is the not the responsibility of the advanced nations to care or take initiative of the environmental approaches of poorer countries. If they wish to tear down forests, dump waste into their rivers and seas, then that is their burden to bear. It is not the financial responsibility of a steel worker in Solaria to pay money toward a scheme that does the job of poorer governments for them. If Xiaodongese wish to choke on the fumes of Euclea’s economic decline, then is it not clear who should truly shoulder the responsibility? With all due respect to you Madame President Degar-Rashid, when it comes to environmental destruction, we know who is mostly to blame and it is not the nations of Euclea. If a fund for the poorest nations is necessary, then I propose the greatest polluters and those with the weakest of environmental protections pay. Xiaodong, Zorasan, Ajahadya and other offender of polluted waterways and perpetually smog filled skies should carry cost, after all, do these countries not stand as the vanguard of south-south cooperation? Perhaps they could celebrate such a cause by carrying the cost, rather than placing the responsibility of their short-sighted pursuit of growth at all costs upon the advanced nations of the North.”

“I will repeat for the sake of clarity, under no circumstances, will I, as the head of state and government of Etruria, allow my country to shoulder the costs of Coian development, especially when it is built upon market flooding, undercutting mercantilist policies and the theft of intellectual property from Euclea. Thank you.”

Carcaterra sat back down, at least he enjoyed himself for a moment. He hoped that the host especially and his two lackeys beside him knew that Etruria wouldn’t prostrate itself before them. There was no guilt in Etruria, it is where it is, off the back of its own labour. Xiaodong being behind is merely the will of fate and destiny. Swallow that barbari.

[Caltarania]

Reginald Louis Wilton-Smyth
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Estmere

Reginald nodded in support of Carcaterra as he spoke, and as the President of Etruria wrapped up his speech, Reginald applauded.

Though crass, the man was right. Coius and Bahia had no right to issue demands of Euclea, while blaming us for their own problems! Bah! It was just like the spineless, slimy, soul-sucking, salacious, saturated, socialist South to point fingers! To bite the hand that fed them! Euclea funded them before, but Reginald doubted Estmere would be thanked for that. His anger was only exacerbated by the actions of his fellows. Are they blind? Are they deaf? These Eucleans who sell out our continent to foreign interests? Monique was playing with fire, and her hysteria was unwarranted - but not unexpected, of course. Her background doesn't help - is an Irfanic really able to lead a nation of Sotirias? - and it was probably her time of the month.

He tried to temper his anger. Reginald had to be careful to watch his mouth. Walker and Monique had both bought into the climate change nonsense - as was their right, he supposed - but he could not allow them to pawn the expenses for their vanity project off onto Estmere. At the same time, he could scant afford to alienate Estmere's erstwhile trading partners in the EC, not less Gaullica; the putrid giant. Bah, another outburst would just get his wimpy staffers all upset. Wets. He curled his hand into a fist, and squeezed tightly to let off some steam. He looked down to his ePad; between the near-outburts, he had been making notes on the speeches from other delegates.

The ten-penny kings of the global south were clearly teaming up to make Euclea foot the bill for their economic transition; that was unconscionable to Reginald. Akbari and Yuan were supporting their puppets. Carcaterra, Okura, Rozak and von Hösslin had proven that they had more common sense ideas. Monique and Walker were trying to bring delegates together by bending over for the south and inviting them to enter us. Reginald squeezed his fist harder.

Reginald got up to speak, and tried to contain his anger as best he could.

"Honourable ladies and gentlemen, may we remember that we are the proud voices of proud nations? May we remember that we are representing our people?" Reginald clasped his hands together. "I have heard some delegates demand Euclean aid! Aid to fix problems that they themselves have created! And, more outlandishly, they believe that we will respond to these backhanded, poor-taste, bad-faith demands without argument!" He unclasped his hands, and squeezed his fists again. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us not demean ourselves! Let us not sell out our hardworking countrymen and women by agreeing to demands that we have no obligation to accept! Demands that would forever impoverish hardworking citizens of our proud nations!"

"Let us now allow an issue where there remains no scientific consensus to define our demise. Let us keep our response in line with the scale; let us not use a jet plane to kill a bird. I remind the esteemed delegates, that Euclea has already cut it's emissions! Euclea is already one of the least-polluting regions in the world! Our free markets have allowed for us to use a wide range of sources of energy, when profitable to do so. There are certain states who continue to pollute, however, far more than we Eucleans ever have; these are the states that should fit the bill. As the President of Etruria rightly alluded to, there are cities in Coius where one cannot breathe for the smog! That was never the case in our Euclean cities. This is a crisis of leadership in Coius, and a crisis of their planned economies, not a crisis in Euclea or of the free market."

"The answer to this issue may well lay with GIFA; I am certainly encouraged by their commitment to the neccessary economic reforms for prosperity. The freer the market, the freer the people - is what we smart economists have always said. Let us temper our response to this issue by, again, recognising that the debate is not yet finished, the science is not quite there yet, and that this is an issue caused by certain nations being unable to refrain, as we in Euclea have been previously able to. Let us look at our erstwhile friends in Senria; who have stuck to our ethics, and have managed to join us in a situation where our cities are breatheable and our economies are not restrained by red tape. This is the solution for Coius! Economic reforms to allow Coians to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, as our forefathers in Euclea did; not handouts that will impoverish innocent Eucleans."

"Thank you, fellow delegates." he said, as he sat back in his seat.

That speech would no doubt be unpopular, but Reginald was certain he had navigated the issue perfectly. He laid out the issue - the global south - without directly implicating his allies. God, he was such an expert statesman.

[West Miersa]

Adrian Rozak listened to the speeches that came after him. Gathering an idea of where they stood, Rozak prepared himself for a response to this issue of climate change.

However, he wanted to wait until either Goga or Carcaterra responded: the former by virtue of Soravia being the voice for the rest of Samorspi, and the latter for their developing relationship between the Miersan Federation and the United Etrurian Federation. Thus, he quietly listened to this drivel of "sustainable development" this and "GIFA" that.

But soon enough, Carcaterra spoke. While his speech may have been crass and not as diplomatically refined, Rozak had to admit: Carcatella does tell it like it is, and he agreed with his sentiments. However, Rozak felt that his request that Eucleans not give the Coians even a single kopyk was, quite frankly, an affront to God's will.

Following him was Reginald Wilton-Smyth, who seemed to have concurred with Carcaterra. However, Rozak spent much of Wilton-Smyth's speech preparing for his own response. Soon enough, it was time.

"As the Minister-President of the Miersan Federation, I empathize with the sentiments made by President Carcaterra and Premier Wilton-Smyth: I know that Miersans will be asking me why we are funding Coian countries when they lost their jobs because their factories cannot compete against Coian factories, when there is still poverty in our country, and when the money only benefits their leadership," Rozak said. "And I do believe that it is a bad idea to help those who are well enough to transition on their own: we should let Zorasan and Xiaodong, among others who are well-developed but masquerade as developing, pay the costs to help resolve this problem."

"However, for the very poor countries on this world, we have a moral obligation, as Sotirians, to help those who are less fortunate than us. We have a moral duty to assist Bamvango, Rwizikuru, Yemet, all of those places, to transition to a green society, to ensure that these places, who will see the worst of climate change's effects should we do nothing about it, can survive and develop so that they may contribute fully to the global community," Rozak said. "These nations deserve our help, for 'if any one has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need,' we have a moral obligation to help them."

"But we cannot use our generosity to these nations as an excuse to help corrupt leaders dodge their obligations and fatten their bank accounts. To this end, an investment bank would be a good idea, with strict guarantees and regulations as to how it spent, so that this money goes to benefit the poorest of the poor, not the leaders."

"Thank you," Rozak concluded.

[Lunas Legion]

Salil Balchandra
President of Ajahadya

The neo-colonialists had said their parts. It was nothing that Salil had not expected; the Etrurians and Estmerish would not throw a single cent their direction, and yet would deny them the rights to develop in the most cost effective manner in the name of environmental protection. The hypocrisy was galling, their attempts to imprison every Coian in the mire of poverty obvious. They were looking out solely for their own citizens which was something Salil could understand and respect, but their positions were not ones he could agree with.

He had his own citizens to look out for, after all.

"Mr Wilton-Smyth, may I remind you that 'to pull yourself up by your bootstraps' is a physical impossibility?" Salil began simply. "I understand what you mean behind it, but to expect Coius to develop by itself so after a century of Euclean looting and artificial division of the continent and the resulting conflicts and wars, both of which have fuelled your own continent's economic growth. You talk of poverty, and yet you would selfishly keep millions of citizens of Coian states trapped in poverty by denying us the right to develop and advance through the use of the cheapest available energy sources. You speak of free markets, and the free market has spoken; coal and oil are the cheapest and most energy efficient sources of power. If they were not, then there would be no issue, as we would all simply switch to green energy."

"The choice, ultimately, is simple. Coius will continue to use oil and gas to fuel its development if the developed world, which commendably has successfully reduced it's emissions, does not make it economically viable for the developing to use green sources of energy from wind to solar to tidal and hydro to nuclear. That is the nature of a market. The idea of a fund from GIFA, while a step in the right direction, connects two issues which should not be connected. The climate should not be connected to how free a nation's economy is, and to do so risks discarding all hopes of achieving progress here and now, and until green energy becomes an economically viable option for developing states, as long as fossil fuels remain the most economically viable option for sourcing electricity, we shall continue to lift our populations out of destitution and develop our economies through their use. If the developed world wishes the developing to do so in a manner that is ecologically sound, then it must pay for it to do so through an international fund that can direct investment from the nations of the developed world to green infrastructure projects in the developing world with no political barriers to restrict or direct its grants, save for avoiding corruption and, where possible, inefficiencies."

[Etruria2]

Farzad Akbari
First Minister of the Union of Zorasani Irfanic Republics

A conspiracy, a plot of most devious intent. Akbari seethed in his seat, he could see them now, muttering and whispering in far-flung corners, utilising a climatic change to further their nefarious ends. Everything they stood for needed to be brought down, everything they inflicted upon the peoples Coius avenged and now, it was Coius’ turn to utilise the disasters of their own making against them. The sheer hypocrisy oozing from that woman, that Queen of Kesselbourg, that haughty neo-imperialist, of that bloodthirsty dog, Wilton-Smyth and the naïve child now president of Gaullica. Enough, Akbari thought.

Awaiting one of Soravia’s puppets to silence himself, Akbari rose to the occasion.

“My friends we now enter the depths of reality of this summit, where the murkiness of interests and intents gives way to the revelations of hypocrisy. The leaders of Euclea, primarily those of the Euclean Community speak of the need to abandon fossil fuels and to transition and yet, only months ago, they were gripped by fierce debate of a new pipeline from Caldia to the continent, transporting what? Oil. A fossil fuel. They speak of the need to turn away from fossil fuels and Soravia’s pipelines crawl like a snail ever eastward. As with most issues gripping the most deprived of humanity, the Euclean position is hollowed by its own hypocrisy and double standards.

“The Etrurian leader speaks of weak protections and disregards for the natural world, yet, the lagoon his very own capital sits in, is toxic for some marine life. Verlois produces as smog as many a Coian city. Car ownership in Euclea far outstrips Coius by percentage of population and yet it us to suffer? We emerge economically strong and capable for the first time since de-colonisation and now we must cast aside manufacturing and industry, being offered Euclos to do so. This bribery to decimate our progress, bribery to consign once more, millions to deprivation and destitution. Is this not made more true by the proposal to place such a fund under the management and control of the GIFA? Now, not must the developing nations of the world be bribed to wipe out any economic development they have thus achieved, but now they must abandon their political traditions and sovereignty to receive the bribe in the first place. On what issue will Euclea not seek to export its ideology and commercial interests? On what issue can the nations of the world truly come together as equals to find common ground, without extortion or supplication to the North becoming the order of the day?

“I would offer friendly advice to the North, if you wish to proselytise the virtues of environmentalism, do so from a position of having lived by the creed. Do not come to us in the developing world extorting such, when you build pipelines and ask Caldia for more oil. If you wish to push for this issue, I urge you, cancel the Caldian pipeline, shut out Soravian oil. Declare your own intention to abandon fossil fuels entirely by a set date, collectively, not as individual nations. Live what you preach and perhaps, the South shall listen.

“To my esteemed friends from the developing world, energy and its distribution is the fundamental pillar of economic development. To rise from the barrens we were left in by the North in the last century, we need energy. I ask you, would you prefer an uninterrupted supply from Zorasan for example, at discounted rates in recognition of your need for growth, or would you prefer the Euclean offer – a politically motivated bribe, only accessible if you abandon all that your people and society care for? The Etrurian president is correct, Zorasan alongside its allies in Xiaodong and Ajahadya are the vanguard of South-South cooperation and that is what we do, we assist our fellow developing nations in developing, never do we hope to extort you for our own benefit, especially when that benefit is the systematic limitation of your potential. I suspect the sovereignty loving nations of the South will know the answer.

“Make no mistake friends, the Union will not be providing money of any kind to a scheme weaponised by the ICD for the benefit of the North. Either a new proposal is presented, or this issue be declared finished, for I am sure also, that neither Xiaodong or our friends in Ajahadya will be willing to subsidise Euclea’s desires to deny Coius its future prosperity.”

Akbari sat back down, stroking his beard. Welcome to 2020 Eucleans, 1820 is long over.

[Qianrong]

As soon as the attending leaders had moved from their opening statements and diplomatic pablums and onto the actual topics of discussion, the conference had slipped from veiled displeasure to open combativity. Yuan Xiannian, vile and contemptible man that he was, had gotten the hostility off to a flying start with his talk of "Euclean and Senrian vulture firms" - the Xiaodongese seemed perpetually eager to forget that Senria was, in fact, located in Coius - though his points about the importance of protecting Coian development were not wrong. An argument had ensued about the nature of any development fund - Yuan talking about "enforced liberalization", Degar-Abdulrashid and Balchandra about transition periods where fossil fuels would still be used for development, the Dezevauni obliquely hinting at communism - only for this to be derailed by a pollution blame game between Carcaterra and Wilton-Smyth on the one hand and Farzad Akbari on the other. An agreement being reached on the shape of the proposed GIFA fund seemed largely improbable at the moment as the leaders of the world instead turned to bickering about whether Euclean consumers or Coian factories deserved more blame for the situation.

In short, the summit was going about as well as Okura had expected it to.

She was not exactly in an enviable position on the topic. Senria's Euclean allies and export markets were either in a camp which seemed entirely too eager to sacrifice necessary economic development in the name of the ice caps, or in a camp which pinned the blame on the Coian continent. Wilton-Smyth's invocation of Senria was a mixed blessing - she was glad at least one member of the latter camp was willing to pointedly exclude Senria from his list of blame-able Coian countries, but by the same token, Senria would need to stand up on behalf of its COMSED allies and partners, and the Xiaodongese would no doubt jump on any opportunity to deny Senria's Coianness. She couldn't really afford to antagonize either Euclean camp; at the same time, she could not give the impression that the leading nation of the Council for Mutual Security and Development would sacrifice its partners and friends for the sake of Eucleans.

The words from Mawere and Hwa, at least, were by and large reasonable. That, too, was to be expected; they were Senria's Coian allies at this conference, Rwizikuru a COMSED economic associate and Hwa the head of that alliance, and Senria was able to direct, to varying degrees, their words and actions. Still, it was convenient to let them speak first - that way it would look like Senria was merely building consensus with its loyal partners, agreeing rather than dictating, and it was invariably useful to appear as a consensus-builder under these circumstances.

"Your excellencies, with all due respect, it appears to me that the current discussion appears more focused on placing blame than on finding solutions. The Senrian nation is well aware of the difficulties of development and transition, having been forced to undergo those processes amidst the threat of imperialist aggression by overseas empires and by its next-door neighbors-" she shot an icy glance at Yuan- "and it was ultimately an endeavor which was completed with great cost in sweat and treasure. As a result, Senria has long sought to assist its fellow Coians in this process through institutions such as COMSED's economic programs, in which it cooperates with many states from southwestern Coius to Bahia. There has been much talk here, in varying degrees of faith, about South-South cooperation - that is a principle which Senria believes in, and we do not deny that there is a role for larger and more developed Coian countries, including Senria itself, in assisting in the development of their fellow Coians."

"That said, while there is undeniably a responsibility larger Coian states should play, we must not forget the economic realities of our situation, and Senria cannot justifiably assent to any arrangement in which the primary burden of green development would be made to fall upon the smaller nations of Coius, many of whom Senria counts among its friends and partners - nations of honorable, hardworking people who deserve access to higher standards of living, to steady jobs and good conditions. We cannot sacrifice the livelihoods of these good people or the future of their countries. Chairwoman Hwa is correct to note that, ultimately, any apportionment of responsibility to this fund must be based not on airing of grievances or placing of blame, but on a simple, impartial acknowledgement of who has the most to give and who is in the most need."

"Indeed, the economic realities of our situation must be our primary consideration, and this is why I must also agree with Chairwoman Hwa on the issue of the transition period. Just as we cannot sacrifice the livelihoods of the peoples of Coius in the name of placing blame for any climactic change that may be occurring, we cannot sacrifice the livelihoods of the peoples of Coius in the names of unbridled idealism. Our first and foremost concern must be the lifting of peoples out of poverty, the maintenance of economic stability, and the livelihoods of our citizenry; that we cannot lose sight of. Any solution adopted must be one which takes into account the different situations in different countries, and it must place the economic well-being of these countries above all else."

"This is an issue of development and therefore an issue where our concerns must, first and foremost, be economic in nature. If we approach it with this framework, and analyze the situation impartially and honestly, I am confident we can find a solution which will protect the well-being of the peoples of Coius while also remaining amenable to our Euclean partners and friends. Thank you."