CMP meeting suspended and on to COP

Elizabeth May

The 9th meeting of the 16th COP will accept the report presented by Margret Mukahana, co-chair of AWG-LCA.

She is bringing forward the document approved earlier this morning on Long-term Cooperative Action (LCA).

President invites the COP to accept the report of AWG-LCA. (3:20 AM)

This decision will become a part of the Cancun agreements, a new era for the multilateral work on climate change.

She gives Bolivia the floor. Bolivia is against the decision (which at this point we can well expect) we wish to discuss and negotiate with legal and scientific arguments. We wish to discuss all positions, but the arguments we have have not been properly concerned.

In the most respectful manner, we implore you to reconsider.

She replies: these comments, these ideas have been in discussion for years. The Bali plan of action have been in discussion for years. Those lengthy debates were unable to bring about the results we have experienced today. Please respect that this is a major coming together.
What you have said is your position will be duly noted in the records of this COP.

The US takes the floor.  One short point on procedure. Practice has been closer to general agreement rather than consensus.

President gives the floor to Bolivia. Please do not delay our work. I personally regret that members of your delgations chose to absent yourself from discussions. I give you the floor.

Bolivia: We have no intention of taking up the time of others. We requested a workshop, at least. We asked an opportunity to discuss Intellectual Property,and it was not done.  We just wanted to open the possibilities for discussion.

President takes the floor again and the decision is adopted. Gavel!