UN SG calls Copenhagen Accord a "significant step toward a global agreement"

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon just took the microphone on the Copenhagen Accord. He started off with a joke: "I hope our heated discussion has not helped to increase global warming." 

He got down to business: "We have taken a significant step to a global agreement to limit and reduce greenhouse gases.I believe that through this Copenhagen Accord, we will all be able to get what we need."

He said there are three test going forward:

1. We must transform this agreement into a legally binding treaty in next year.
2. We must launch the Coepnhagen Green Climate Fund ASAP to help the most vulnerable affectd by climate change and jumpstart clean energy in developing countries.
3. We need to pursue the root of higher emissions not folow the path of least reisstance. As current mitigation committments still fail to avoid the path down toward dangerous climate change.

He also said: "Never in history have so many leaders directly enaged in global negotiations of such immense complexity and importance."

Ban finishes with a call to arms: "We have risen to the challenge at this conference. Today we have taken a significzant step forward but the road ahead is still long and difficult. But it is a journey we must make together. Science demands it. The global economy needs it. And the many lives depend on it"

USA: Regarding the Copenhagen Accord, can you clarify that memebers of the conference of the parties will be notifed in wiritng of their ability to participate in this accord.

South Africa wants it to be noted that the setting in which the Copenhagen Accord was crafted was a COP (UN conference of the parties) setting. 

Solomon Islands, which stands to be under water tells Plenary that "we have put our lives in your hands, in the hands of the 25 countries that have come up with this accord. History will judge us. It is not just about finance. It is more about survival."

Papua New Guinea takes the floor and endorses the UN SG's statement. He calls the Copenhagen a quick-start mechanism, which begins to build some of the architecture needed to get going.

Bolivia lays down its position that this COP has taken note, but has not adopted the Copenhagen Accord. he suggests that the process to join Copenhagen Accord cannot be under the UN, but under Denmark or someone like that. This is going to be a sticking point.

Saudi Arabia is trying to to marginalize the Copenhagen Accord outside of the UN as well, and says it will oppose the UN COP playing any role in making it more formal than it is.

The meeting President says he is about to fall asleep after having been up for two days.

Pakistan joins consensus to take note of the Copenhagen Accord, but objects to its lack of transparency, which he says has opened a chasm between countries. He says the road to hell is paved with good intentions and demands that the Copenhagen not be used as any sort of precedent for future decisions.

China has the floor: Maybe all of us are too tired. He appears to be trying to scuttle any shred of relationship between the Accord and the UN, objecting about the Appendix of the accord, which is the most important part because that is the part that lists country's emissions targets/actions. China is worried this may confer obligations on it, which I think is the whole point, at least at some point.

The Chair's response: I am going home. Someone will replace me. Have a happy season. I am going home to a temperature of 25 C.

Venezuela: What was agreed by Venezuela is taking note, and we want it to be noted that the Accord does not enjoy consensus. We trust that the presence of the Secretary General will help parties to not use further devices or ploys to spoil this.

USA Todd Stern up: I am interested to here the comments from my colleagues from Bolivia and Saudi Arabia. I recognize that there was not consensus--there were at least 5-6 countries out of 193 countries that were not in favour of the Accord. I would also like to note that this kind of undertaking is provided for under the Convention 7.2C. This is an opt-in provision. This includes $100 billion in funding per year by 2020, and $30 billion over next three years. It is open to any party interested in participating.