SG: I have just concluded an informal dinner which I hosted. 25 leaders have participated, as you may know already. They include leaders from industrialized countries, so-called biggest emitters and developing countries, particularly very vulnerable countries, and representatives of major negotiating groups, like the G-77 and the European Union and Small Island Developing Countries and Landlocked Least Developed Countries.
We had very good discussions. The topics included -- it was rather a very informal setting. We first heard the concerns and challenges from developing countries, and particularly most vulnerable countries, and we also discussed what we can achieve, what we aspire in the Bali meeting, and how technological innovation and financial mechanisms can help in addressing global warming issues, particularly for developing countries.
There was some common understanding and commitment that everybody agreed that it is now time to act before it is too late, and they all agreed that the most appropriate forum and agency would be the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Even though this was not a negotiating purpose, if I may just sum up:
The current international response and pace of negotiations are inadequate.
Broader and deeper action is necessary.
Significant reductions in emissions are needed.
Industrialised countries need to lead, with targets set, but all countries can and must contribute to the solution.
It is everyone's responsibility to support those who are most affected and most vulnerable.
I believe, with all this firm commitment, the international community, particularly at the leaders' level, they demonstrated and reaffirmed their firm commitment to address collectively. They all agreed that this is a global issue affecting all human beings that does require global actions. It is something which I can summarize informally.
Q: Did you get any sense, Mr. Secretary-General, from President Bush, of how he viewed the outcome of today, or what will take place in his meeting in D.C. with the major emitting countries?
SG: He also mentioned that, while he explained how technological innovation can help in addressing these issues, and he explained what he wants to discuss and wants to achieve. In forthcoming meetings, he has invited all these industrialized countries. He made it quite clear that what he is going to do was to help the United Nations influence, and the United Nations so that the United Nations can work to address these global warming issues, and I appreciate it for his firm commitment and support for that.
Q: Was there any discussion of just capping emissions -- sorry?
Q: Did they discuss about maybe firm caps as opposed to voluntary measures that Bush may have outlined in his talks, and were there any areas that the leaders talked about where they weren't willing to venture into with these negotiations?
SG: Of course, emissions, how to cap emissions was an important issue. There were some ideas that industrialized countries should set the target and lead this process, but I understood that that is something which we will have to discuss in a negotiating forum.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much for your patience and covering this climate change conference. Thank you very much. Good night.