Obama joins UN conference at crucial moment

US President Barack Obama is shifting the timing of his visit to the international climate summit in Copenhagen as prospects for a political agreement at the event seem more likely.

AP/Michael von Bülow
05/12/2009

The US, India and China all have specific proposals on the table for the first time, and world leaders are aiming for a deal that includes commitments on reducing emissions and financing for developing countries. They no longer expect to reach a legally binding agreement, as had long been the goal.

Obama is hoping to capitalize on steps by India and China and build a more meaningful political accord, the White House said.

The move means Obama will be at the summit on Dec. 18, considered a crucial period when more leaders will be in attendance, as opposed to his scheduled stop in Denmark on Wednesday on his way to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen promptly welcomed the US President's decision. In a statement issued Saturday, Løkke said Obama's attendance was "an expression of the growing political momentum toward sealing an ambitious climate deal in Copenhagen".

"President Obama's strong commitment on the issue of climate change and his global leadership is pivotal to the negotiations in Copenhagen. I look very much forward to welcoming president Obama in Copenhagen alongside other world leaders," he said.

Obama will now leave for Oslo late Wednesday, attend Nobel events Thursday and return to Washington on Friday.

The president had said that he would travel to the Copenhagen conference if his appearance would help clinch a deal. His decision to go early to the two-week meeting had been seen by many as a sign that an agreement was still a long shot.

The possibility of an agreement may be improving, however.

"There are still outstanding issues that must be negotiated for an agreement to be reached, but this decision reflects the president's commitment to doing all that he can to pursue a positive outcome," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement. Gibbs said the US will have negotiators involved throughout the Dec. 7-18 conference.

Danish officials say more than 100 world leaders have confirmed they will attend the final stages of the Copenhagen conference.