The world’s leaders have come together once again to move the climate negotiations forward, after having gathered in smaller groups during the afternoon. The EU leaders also met for a separate meeting at around 4.30. Earlier on Friday, Barack Obama, Wen Jiabao, Ban Ki-moon and Fredrik Reinfeldt were among the speakers at the plenary session at the climate change conference.

The purpose of the EU meeting, which was called by Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, was to inform the Member States of the state of play in the discussions and to coordinate the continued work. At lunchtime, Reinfeldt said that three main problems had been identified.

“These concern emissions reductions, financing and transparency in the different commitments the countries promise. European and African leaders will discuss the issue of financing, and the Presidency has made sure that American emissions reduction targets will be included in a special appendix", said Fredrik Reinfeldt.
 
Mr Reinfeldt said that Barack Obama, who joined the UN meeting late in the morning, had emphasised the conditionality aspect, i.e. that the promises of financing build on the fact that the measures presented are measurable.

“Crucial moment"

After this, a number of the leaders gathered in a plenary meeting. In his introduction, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that the fact that so many of the world's leaders had turned up showed how important the issue was.

“Climate change is a real, growing and burning issue. It affects our security and our economies. It is not often we have the opportunity to really design our future, but now we must do it. Now is a crucial moment for change."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took the floor after Mr Rasmussen.
“We are united in our common purpose, now we must unite in action. It is time for common sense, political leadership and courage", said Ban Ki-moon.

China and USA

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao talked at the plenary about the country's plans to increase the use of alternative energy sources, to improve monitoring and evaluation of its work against climate change and to reduce emissions.

US President Barack Obama also spoke at the plenary meeting.
“As the world's largest economy and the world's second largest emitting nation, the USA carries a responsibility."

He went on:
“We can take on this agreement and continue to build on it. Everyone here will then be involved in building a better future. Or we can choose to drag our heels and go back to the same obsolete arguments year after year until climate change is irreversible."