- Title: DENMARK: UN Chief says climate progress slow but remains optimistic on a deal
- Date: 18th December 2009
- Summary: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (DECEMBER 17, 2009) (REUTERS) WIDE OF NEWS BRIEFING BY UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "Unfortunately negotiations have been going very slowly and even at this time negotiations are still going. This is one of the most complex and complicated and most difficult process as you may imagine. But I have not seen anything that indicates we cannot seal a deal in Copenhagen. I believe we can seal a deal still in Copenhagen. The major players are here. All the major players are here." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "There are more than 130 world leaders gathered here. If they can't seal a deal, who can?" JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "That is very encouraging. I'm sure it will have a very strong political dynamics in our current negotiations." WIDE OF NEWS BRIEFING
- Embargoed: 2nd January 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Denmark
- Country: Denmark
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAAZFWR9C64PNDS881CO39RY60G
- Story Text: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says negotiations on climate talks have been going slow but says he remains optimistic a deal can be sealed.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday (December 17) climate negotiations were moving slow but remained optimistic a deal can still be reached.
"Unfortunately negotiations have been going very slowly and even at this time negotiations are still going. This is one of the most complex and complicated and most difficult process as you may imagine. But I have not seen anything that indicates we cannot seal a deal in Copenhagen. I believe we can seal a deal still in Copenhagen. The major players are here. All the major players are here," Ban told reporters at a news briefing in the Danish capital .
"There are more than 130 world leaders gathered here. If they can't seal a deal, who can," he added.
Ban also welcomed a U.S. move in an effort to break a deadlock in UN climate talks with a pledge on Thursday to help mobilise $100 billion a year by 2020 to assist poor nations, but pointedly warned China it must accept tough requirements.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the dramatic announcement with less than two days remaining for an international summit aimed at reducing global emissions of carbon dioxide pollution linked to climate change. Some world leaders were voicing fears the talks could end in failure.
"That is very encouraging. I'm sure it will have a very strong political dynamics in our current negotiations," Ban said.
China, which will be key to the success of the Copenhagen summit, responded favourably to Clinton's announcement.
The long-term aid from rich countries has been a key demand of developing countries, especially the poorest ones who are most threatened by rising sea levels and have the fewest resources to battle weather-related problems.
The United States, EU, Japan and other developed countries also are expected to get behind "quick-start funds" to help poor countries between now and 2012. That money could total $10 billion or so a year.
The $100 billion a year long-term fund is far less than some African countries have demanded, but it appeared to be the most the Obama administration could garner political support for.
U.S. officials have likened the U.S. demands for climate change accountability to verification requirements that have been the hallmark of past nuclear arms reduction treaties and trade deals. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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