Viewpoints on the global climate protection system moved closer in Bonn at the two-week UN Conference held with the participation of some 3500 representatives of more than 190 countries. During the marathon series of negotiations closed on 17 June 2011, the Hungarian Presidency made remarkable efforts at preserving the Kyoto quota assets.

The primary task of the UN session held in Bonn was the preparation of the climate summit to be held in Durban, South Africa at the end of the year. During the two-week turn of negotiations constant and intensive consultations were held - with the European Union’s position coordinated by Hungary - in numerous special topics between the interest groups of minor and major associations from 194 countries. The negotiations were conducted simultaneously at plenary sessions and other smaller formations. During the 15 days of the meeting, 194 official and numerous unofficial sessions were held. The EU Member States represented a common stand achieved at daily coordination meetings chaired by the Hungarian Presidency.

In addition to the UN-level sessions, the representatives of the European Union attended 266 consultative meetings: fourteen Council working group meetings, 211 specialist sessions and 41 other meetings. In addition, the Hungarian delegation represented the European Union in Bonn at 23 executive and 74 specialist bilateral negotiations.

It can be considered as a major progress that during the series of negotiations, numerous developing countries - e.g. the BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China), Argentina, Mexico, Korea, Indonesia, Israel, Chile and Vietnam - presented their methods of reducing greenhouse gas emission. Earlier only advanced countries made such action plans, but during the six months of the Hungarian Presidency, 50 developing countries also compiled their own versions.

During the session held in Germany, the European Union held a one-day bilateral negotiation with China, whereby Beijing confirmed its commitment to the introduction of a solution similar to the EU ETS system. This system of industrial participants, considered as the driving force in emission cuts by the EU, serves as a financial incentive to lowering emission through the creation of a market-based trade system. Improvement in energy efficiency and cutting industrial pollution is an enormous challenge for China.

The EU’s Hungarian Presidency had several informal meetings with Croatia in Bonn. The issue of fitting former climate-related commitments into the EU’s quota trade system was raised during the Croatian accession negotiations. With the active contribution of the Hungarian Presidency, in joint effort with the European Union, a solution was finally found in this matter.

The work performed by the delegation of the European Union was also appreciated by NGOs participating in the conference. The organisation Climate Action Network gave the European Union with the “Ray of the Day” award for facilitating the participation of civilians as observers in the negotiations.

(Ministry of National Development , Department of Communication)