Representatives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) signatory countries gathered on Monday in the Mexican city of Cancun for a summit to draw out a plan to curb global warming.
"We have gathered in Cancun to weave a human response to climate change, using both reason and creativity," UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christian Figueres said.
At the summit, which will run until December 10, the leaders of the world's twenty major economies will attempt to reach a binding agreement on curbing greenhouse gasses after 2012, when current emission reduction targets laid out in the Kyoto Protocol expire.
Fifteen thousand people are expected to attend the conference. The first week will consist of working groups and high level consultations will take place from December 7.
The G20 leaders failed to reach an agreement at the last UN climate summit in December 2009, largely as a result of China's reluctance to agree to binding commitments.
China has consistently showed reluctance to commit to slashing greenhouse emissions, despite being the world's largest emitter. In light of the disagreements, this year's summit aims to reach less ambitious goals than last year's.
Deals on deforestation, technology transfers and the creation of a financial support mechanism for countries vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change are expected to be met.
MOSCOW, November 29 (RIA Novosti)
