Informal talks in Bonn start 10 August

An informal UN negotiating session on strengthened international climate action will take place in Bonn from 10 to 14 August 2009. The consultations are part of a series of six gatherings this year designed to culminate in an ambitious and effective international climate change deal in Copenhagen in December. The Copenhagen outcome is to follow on the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol, which expires at the end of 2012.

"We are at an exciting point in the negotiations which can lead us to the turning point in the fight against climate change at Copenhagen," said Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

 "At the UNFCCC Bonn session in June, negotiating text was enriched and expanded. At this meeting, governments have a significant opportunity to make further concrete and substantive progress on the text, narrowing down options and simplifying and shortening the negotiating text," he added.

(Source: UNFCCC)