Sudan accused of attempting to block climate talks

December 14, 2009 (COPENHAGEN) – European countries accuse Sudan, which is the current chair of the G77 group of 130 developing countries, of attempting to block talks on climate change in Copenhagen, reported the Russian RIA Novosti today.

Sudan led on Monday a boycott of talks at UN climate talks in Copenhagen. The move is seen as an attempt to protect Chinese position on the control of carbon emissions.

The developing countries plus China said they wanted talks to focus more on the Kyoto Protocol rather than on broader discussions on climate change.

While Sudan says developing countries would not put up with rich countries to dismantle the Kyoto Protocol. Europe demand stronger commitment, from the developing countries in the issue of climate, than they are obliged under Kyoto Protocol.

“The killing of the Kyoto Protocol would have the effect of undermining the foundational principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and ultimately puts at risk any ambitious outcome to aggressively address climate change in Copenhagen,” said Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim, head of the Sudanese delegation in remarks reported by Xinhua.

“Sudan as G77 chairman is trying to block talks on procedural issues, demanding explanations and suspending talks,” World Wildlife Fund Russia representative Alexei Kokorin said, citing a delegate from an unnamed European country.

As a result of G77-China pressure, the conference participants agreed that issues relating to the Kyoto Protocol would be considered first and would be of higher priority than a new climate accord.

The 15th UN climate change conference, the result of two years of international talks on a binding treaty to cut global carbon emission, began in Copenhagen on December 7.

The conference, which brings together about 15,000 participants from 192 countries, will run until December 18. It has so far failed to produce a plan to fight global warming.

The Kyoto Protocol, a legally binding agreement restricting carbon emissions, expires in 2012. A new deal is needed to continue efforts beyond 2012.

(ST)