UN chief asks nations to sacrifice to get climate deal

By: G M Mourtoza on December 17th, 2009

COPENHAGEN–In a move to restart stalled climate talks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday said the Kyoto Protocol remains the lone legal instrument to secure cuts in carbon pollution.

“The time for maximalist negotiating positions is over and time for unreasonable demands and pressure on your negotiating partners is over,” Ban said. “The time for consensus has arrived.”

The UN chief was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the high-level segment of the climate conference in the Danish capital.

Ban urged the negotiators to finish their work.

“No-one will get everything they want; but if we work together, then everyone will get what they need.”

Britain’s Prince Charles said it is not an overstatement that the door to our future is closing. “The future of mankind can be assured only if we rediscover ways in which to live as part of nature, not apart from her,” he said.

Prince Charles also urged negotiators to find a compromise deal. “We cannot continue to run over the same old ground.” He urged the nations to show their compassion and prove themselves great.

Prince Charles, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr Wangari Maathai, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokks Rasmussen, conference president and Danish Climate Minister Connie Hedegaard and UN climate chief Yvo de Boer were among other speakers.

More than 100 world leaders are due to arrive here today and tomorrow to address the high-level meeting of the summit as the two-week negotiations come to an end tomorrow.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, two main rivals in the climate meeting and the world’s polluting superpowers, are are joining at least 130 world leaders here. Premier Wen has already arrived. President Obama is scheduled to arrive Friday morning.

Many heads of states including U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and  Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have arrived, as well as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Iranian President Mahmoud  Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.