Ban voices cautious optimism ahead of Copenhagen climate conference

Thursday, 29 October 2009 08:25

Although much work remains to be done ahead of December’s climate change conference in Copenhagen, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday said he is optimistic that world leaders will reach an ambitious agreement in the Danish capital.

Provided that four key benchmarks are decided upon, the gathering will be a success, Mr. Ban told reporters during his monthly press conference.

Those four criteria, he said, are: emissions reductions targets by developed countries and enhanced mitigation actions by developing nations; adaptation measures; the provision of financing and technology for poorer nations; and the creation of an equitable global governance structure.

“We are not lowering expectations” ahead of the Copenhagen meeting, the Secretary-General stressed, noting that he has been working closely with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who is holding discussions with governments on the substance and form of an agreement that could emerge from the summit.

“There is a long way to go still,” he said, with only five weeks to go before that meeting.

Post-Copenhagen, Mr. Ban emphasized to reporters that countries must endeavour to ensure that any agreements reached during the technical negotiations in Denmark can be built upon to become legally binding.

Negotiators are set to meet next week in Barcelona, Spain, for the last round of negotiations before the two-week Copenhagen gathering kicks off on 7 December.

Source: UN News