Christiana Figueres (L), executive secretary of the Framework Convention on Climate Change of the United Nations, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (C) and COP 20/CMP 10 President Manuel Pulgar-Vidal (R), arrive at the plenary room of the high-level segment of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Lima, capital of Peru, Dec. 9, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

On Nov. 12, China and the United States staked out an ambitious plan to curb carbon emissions. The European Union also pledged in September to slash greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and to offer aid to developing nations.

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, COP 20/CMP 10 President, started Tuesday's meeting by stressing the "Lima spirit." The Peruvian environment minister said he was keeping a close eye on negotiations, especially those over a 2015 climate deal.

"I am assessing its progress continuously. I am ready to take the necessary decisions to ensure you can intensify your work and have outcomes this week. I ask you to help us, even if this means you sleep less in the next day," said Pulgar-Vidal.

Christiana Figueres, executive-secretary of UNFCCC, warned delegates that "we are running out of time. We must plant seeds of much more secure, just and prosperous world for all."

She noted that time had come to leave incremental change behind and asked leaders to "courageously steer world toward profound and fundamental transformation."

In his remarks to the Conference, General Assembly President Sam Kutesa called for collective urgent actions towards mitigation and adaptation and labeled the Lima Conference "a decisive step" toward the hope of ambitious outcome and bold commitments. He also emphasized that the principles of fairness and common but differentiated responsibilities must be adhered to when tackling climate change.

The host country Peru presented a cultural performance, Pachamama, or Offering to Mother Earth in English, at the high- level opening. In this ceremony, an Andean traditional priest acts as the link between man and Mother Earth and calls upon the elements of water, earth, fire and air to establish harmony between human beings, cosmos and nature. This ceremony describes an act of love and offering of energy to mankind and the universe.

The 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which opened here on Dec. 1, brings together 196 Parties to the UNFCCC in an effort to hammer out a new universal treaty, which would enter force by 2020. The conference wraps up on Friday.

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