9 December 2014: The UN Climate Change Conference’s high-level segment opened in Lima, Peru, with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stating that fully tackling the impacts of climate change requires a transformation, not just “tinkering” with past agreements and pledges.

Ban requested that Parties: deliver a balanced, well-structured and coherent draft text for the Paris 2015 agreement; reach a common understanding on the scope and status of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs); achieve progress in solidifying the climate finance regime; prioritize adaptation support and resilience building for the most vulnerable, especially least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS); determine how to stimulate and facilitate cooperation on a range of actions by all stakeholders; and ratify the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol. He also said that combating climate change was essential for sustainable development.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christina Figueres said the time had come to leave “incremental change” behind and steer the world toward a “profound and fundamental” transformation. She called for: transforming growth-opening opportunities instead of propagating poverty; safeguarding resources instead of depleting them; and valuing long-term stability over short-term volatility.

During a press conference, Ban said he was urging all Parties to recognize and formalize the latest non-paper tabled by the ADP Co-Chairs as the draft negotiating text for the 2015 agreement in his bilateral meetings with parties.

More than 100 ministers and several Heads of State and Government are in Lima to provide guidance to negotiators and help resolve political issues. [UN Press Release] [UN Secretary-General Statement] [IISD RS Coverage of Lima Climate Change Conference]