15 November 2010: Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, emphasized the need for compromise in international efforts to reach a solution to the climate challenge at a press briefing held in Bonn, Germany, on 15 November 2010.

Referring to the upcoming 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 16), scheduled to take place from 29 November-10 December 2010, in Mexico, she stated that “Cancun will be a success, if parties compromise.” She called on them to “balance their expectations so that every one can carry home a positive achievement while allowing others to do the same,” insisting that governments “can reach a deal” on adaptation, technology transfer, forests and long-term financing. However, she also recognized the political gaps that still exist, mostly on emission reduction commitments and the future of the Kyoto Protocol. Noting that “a Cancun deal isn’t going to solve the whole problem,” she indicated that it could “set a new pace for negotiations.” Figueres welcomed the recent “struggle” at the G20 Summit in Seoul to “find new ways towards balanced growth,” underlining that the solutions to climate change offer opportunities to achieve sustainable and profitable development. In concluding, she urged setting up action, warning against the costs of delay. [UN Press Release][Figueres’ Speaking Notes]