Copenhagen

15 December 2009

Opening remarks at press conference with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen

Ban Ki-moon

Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, of the media. It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to share some thoughts of our assessment, with you, today after the opening of this high level meeting.

This is my third visit to Copenhagen in just six months. That means I have a very urgent and important mission to accomplish. I would like to thank Prime Minister [Lars Lokke] Rasmussen for his leadership and commitment as leader of this country, as we have been working very closely together. Every month, particularly the last three months, we have been meeting through video every week. It has been quite instrumental for us to work together [on] the current status of the negotiations up to now.

Of course there are many issues to be resolved, but I am reasonably optimistic that Copenhagen will be a success; that we will have a deal that is fair, comprehensive and equitable, and immediately operational.

One of the places where we have been travelling together is Trinidad and Tobago where we attended a Commonwealth summit meeting, where the leaders of 53 Commonwealth states have laid down a very good foundation. I would particularly recognize the presence of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. [Patrick] Manning, and he is sitting over there, and I really appreciate his leadership, which has really made this joint declaration possible.

You heard my speech during the high-level opening session. I told world leaders and ministers that we have come a long way. Now we have to finish the job. A new era is within our grasp. A new era of hope, sustainable growth and security.

Copenhagen is the key to opening the door of opportunity. We have three days left to seal a deal. The time for delay and blame is over.

I told the leaders that it is time to stop pointing fingers, it is time to stop looking in the mirror and start authorizing what the Member States could do. Now is the time for common sense, compromise and courage. Common sense, compromise and courage should prevail the next three days.

Several issues require urgent resolution. We still need stronger mitigation targets that keep us within two degrees global temperature rise. I call on developed countries to raise their targets.

I also call on developing nations to take greater measures to curb the growth in their emissions. Higher ambition by each is in the interest of all.

We also need concrete commitments to the Copenhagen Launch Fund for the next three years. And we need agreement on how to scale up longer-term financing that meets needs.

No one thinks this will be easy or cheap. But this is an essential investment. The impacts will be immediate, and the dividends will last for generations.

Millions of families are suffering right now. They are on the climate front lines. They expect Copenhagen to deliver results. So do I.

Finally, we need to set a firm date for completing a new legally binding agreement as soon as possible in 2010. As soon as we agree on a politically binding agreement in Copenhagen, this agreement should be translated into legally binding treaty as soon as possible. We need to set a date, a deadline. This deadline cannot be left hanging.

Climate change is accelerating. Delays by any will, over time, mean crisis for all.

Instead of pointing fingers, I call on each country to look at each other’s positions and come out with more ambitious targets. Each country can and should do more. Each country, each leader must consider what more we can do to make Copenhagen a success.

I have been talking and meeting with Heads of State on this issue since I became Secretary-General. More than 80 came to a Summit I convened in 2007. More than 100 came to the UN Summit on climate change this September. More than 120 have committed to come for this meeting. Everyone wants to seal a deal here in Copenhagen. That is why I remain positive.

I am here to help bring parties together for a final agreement. My goal is for governments to forge a global deal for the common good … to achieve the strongest deal possible in the best interests of all. That is why we are here.

We have an opportunity to enter a new era. Let us seize it, and I need your support and cooperation. Thank you very much.