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'Frankly, I am disappointed'
15/12/2007 08:51 - (SA)
Nusa Dua, Indonesia - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a conference on climate change on Saturday he was "disappointed" no deal had been reached yet and made a rousing appeal for flexibility.
"Seize the moment, this moment, for the good of all humanity," said Ban, in an unscheduled visit at troubled talks in Bali.
"I appeal to you to make the necessary agreement now, to not risk all that you have achieved so far. The scientific realities affecting our planet demand a high level of ambition," he said.
Ban, who attended the conference earlier the week, made an unscheduled trip back to the Indonesian island after a visit to East Timor.
"In fact I come before you very reluctantly," Ban said. "Frankly, I am disappointed by the lack of progress."
All-night talks appeared to achieve an agreement but hit a new roadblock on Saturday as developing nations objected.
China angrily accused the Indonesian organisers of deliberately convening a plenary session, which makes decisions, at the same time as closed-door talks were going on with developing nations.
UN climate chief Yvo de Boer broke down with emotion as he said he did not know the meetings were being held concurrently. On the verge of tears, he rushed out of the room.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also made an impassioned appeal for progress.
"The worst thing that can happen is for our great project, for the human race and our planet Earth to crumble because we cannot find the right wording," Yudhoyono said.
"The world is watching. I beg you to not let them down," he said.
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