FACTBOX-High and low points of Bali climate talks

Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:07am EST
 
Email | Print | | Reprints | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

(Reuters) - U.N.-led climate change talks in Bali finally agreed on Saturday to launch negotiations on a new pact to fight global warming, after a last-minute U.S. reversal allowed a breakthrough.

Below is a summary of some of the high and low points of the two-week talks.

HIGHLIGHTS

DRAMATIC FINAL SESSION

A deal was only agreed after a day of high drama and emotional speeches, including several standing ovations, a last-minute plea for compromise by Indonesia's president and the head of the United Nations and booing for the U.S. delegation.

The exhausted-looking head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, Yvo de Boer, rushed out near to tears after repeated criticism by China of a planning mistake that left their senior delegates outside the room when a key motion was proposed.

And after the U.S. refused to agree to a developing world proposal backed by all other delegations, Papua New Guinea delegate Kevin Conrad called on Washington to "get out of the way" if it didn't want to lead the fight against climate change.

The United States backed down, earning a round of applause from other delegates.

POLAR BEARS  Continued...

 

Featured Broker sponsored link

Editor's Choice

  • Pictures
  • Video
  • Articles
Photo

A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.  View Slideshow 

Most Popular on Reuters

  • Articles
  • Video
  • Recommended

Reuters Oddly Enough

Funny, quirky, strange-but-true stories from around the world.