Australia makes surprise pledge of $165mln to UN climate fundDecember 10, 2014 - 09:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Australia has made a surprise pledge of 200 million Australian dollars ($165 million) to a key UN climate fund, the Associated Press reports. Expectations of an Australian contribution to the Green Climate Fund were low after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said last week that Australia will continue to help developing countries cope with climate change through its own aid program. But in Lima on Tuesday, Dec 9, Bishop announced that Australia would provide money to the fund as part of its "commitment to play our part in the global response to climate change." The fund has now received pledges of more than $10 billion. Bishop said Australia is already making major contributions to address the effects of climate change, including through national direct action and international engagement, including its aid program. Related links: Related issues: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |