ECO wishes to remind delegates to keep their eyes on the ball. We have said time and again that to prevent a gap in commitment periods this meeting needs to agree the building blocks that can inform a mandate decision at COP/MOP3 in 2007. It is must already be obvious that climate change is wreaking havoc. It is a reality in Kenya today; the prolonged drought and this week’s flash floods are just the beginning.

So, after Parties aborted attempt at a first review, ECO strongly urges delegates to try again, soon, and do the second review by 2007. The stalemate around the draft Article 9 text is outrageous. The positions taken by some notable countries last night were clearly designed to render the review process meaningless. The UN Secretary General spoke yesterday about the urgent global response needed to break this vicious cycle of negotiations so lacking in ambition. ECO suggests the following: There is widespread agreement that this review will not consider emissions reduction obligations for non-Annex 1 countries. A second review needs to be done in 2007, or at the latest 2008, as it is intended to inform the negotiations of future commitments by Annex 1. In fact, 2008 already puts Parties at risk of delaying the process. Any later date would most certainly hold us back and lead to a gap in commitment periods; undermining the Clean Development Mechanism, carbon market and opportunities to scale up adaptation. If discussion moves the review date beyond 2008, ECO would rather not see a date set. No review is better than a bad review.