Ban sets 5 deliverables for Doha talks

DOHA - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed hope that five key deliverables, including the extension of Kyoto Protocol and progress on long-term climate finance, can be achieved at the Doha climate talks.

Ban made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the talks, addressing heads of states and governments as well as ministerial delegates from over 190 countries.

The UN chief pointed to five deliverables that he hopes delegates can achieve before they walk out of Doha on Friday -- the Kyoto Protocol's extension, progress on long-term climate finance, support for developing countries, Durban Platform's smooth negotiations and willingness for enhanced mitigation.

"The Kyoto Protocol remains the closest we have to a global, blinding climate agreement... it must continue," Ban said.The first week of talks divided on the details of the accord's extension, including its length and strength as well as the carry- over unused carbon permits to the second commitment period.

Ban called on the governments to bridge their differences and remain committed to a robust climate regime by ensuring the treaty 's continuation on January 1, 2013.

On the finance front, Ban said as the Fast-start finance is to expire soon, developed countries must give "clear indications that scaled-up climate financing will flow after 2012."

Reminding rich countries of the goal of 100 billion U.S. dollars per year by 2020, Ban said commensurate contributions should be made for years in between.

With regard to support for developing countries, the UN official said financing and technological transfer are in urgent need for these countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Particularly, he emphasized institutions for aiding developing countries set up in previous climate talks should stay equipped and effective.

Ban also expressed hopes that negotiations on the Durban Platform are on track to develop a legal climate instrument applicable to all by 2015 with respect to post-2020 climate actions.

Lastly, Ban pointed to the huge gap between mitigation pledges and what is required to limit the global warming to two degrees centigrade, and urged that gap be bridged.

The UN climate talks began its high-level talks here on Tuesday after their first week of meetings made little progress. Senior officials face the daunting task of bridging their huge differences to strike accords by Friday and are expected to undergo intensive talks and overnight meetings.