Expert says UN should remain mechanism for climate talks

"Having negotiations under the UN is the preferable way," Jennifer Morgan, director of the Climate and Energy Program at the Washington D.C.- based World Resources Institute told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

The most vulnerable countries are those most affected by climate change and their voice is neither heard in the G20 nor in major economic forums, Morgan said.

Only under the UN climate talk mechanism did everyone have a say, "everybody's voice can be represented, especially for those most vulnerable countries," Morgan said.

Morgan also urged relevant parties to fully realize the importance of putting the United Nations at the center of climate talks in Cancun.

"If Cancun is not a success or there isn't any progress made in Cancun, the international community won't invest in the UN (process) any more," Morgan warned.

"They will go to G20 or other major forums for bilateral deals. The importance of the framework convention will be reduced significantly," she said.

Morgan's concern is not totally groundless.

A split between rich and poor nations has dominated the talks in the past two years, but the differences widened after the Copenhagen summit last December produced no binding agreement, but only a brief document of political intentions.

Morgan's fear was echoed by Yvo de Boer, who stepped down as head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in July.

De Boer also warned that, if there is another failure," no one will take us seriously anymore." He suggested delegates in Cancun focus on small goals rather than a major treaty. Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com for full version