In order to improve their negotiating power, a group of countries with economies in transition established an informal negotiating bloc for the UNFCCC negotiations in 2000. The group of Central Asian States, Caucasus States, Moldova, and Albania (CACMA) compromises 8 member States and two observer States, all of whom are non-Annex I Parties with economies in transition.
CACMA was established because several articles in the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and the COP decisions were formulated primarily for the benefit of developing country Parties. These provisions did not address the concerns of non-Annex I Parties with economies in transition. According to the terms of these provisions, non-Annex I Parties not having the status of developing countries (i.e., countries in transition) de jure are not eligible for the assistance set forth by these articles and decisions. However, in most cases, the UNFCCC Secretariat, financial institutions (such as the GEF and World Bank), and other international structures often view countries with economies in transition in a similar way to developing countries. By pooling their expertise and negotiating power, the CACMA has enabled countries with economies in transition to more effectively participate in UNFCCC negotiations.
For more information, contact gmep@access.sanet.ge