UNFCCC Executive Secretary: Governments Can and must Deliver Strong Copenhagen Deal

Barcelona, 6 November 2009 - The last negotiating session before the historic UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December concluded Friday in Barcelona, Spain.

Speaking at a press conference in Barcelona, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer reiterated that Copenhagen must result in a strong international climate change deal.

"Copenhagen can and must be the turning point in the international fight against climate change - nothing has changed my confidence in that," he said. "A powerful combination of commitment and compromise can and must make this happen," he added.

Specifically, progress on adaptation, technology cooperation, reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries and mechanisms to disburse funds for developing countries was made in Barcelona.

"It is essential that practical action is swiftly implemented after Copenhagen to assist developing countries in their fight against climate change," the UN's top climate change official said.

However, little progress was made on the two key issues of mid-term emission reduction targets of developed countries and finance that would allow developing countries to limit their emissions growth and adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change.

"Without these two pieces of the puzzle in place, we will not have a deal in Copenhagen," Yvo de Boer said. "So leadership at the highest level is required to unlock the pieces," he added.

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