Leaders of Zimbabwe, Marshall, Vietnam, Suriname and Nauru called for sticking to two tracks and reach a legally binding agreement at high-level segment of the United Nations Climate Change Conference held Wednesday.

Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe, said, "We of Africa, aligned with our other brothers in the developing world, have made proposals predicated on principles of historical responsibility, common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities of parties. We stand by the Kyoto Protocol, with its full set of commitments which to this day for fulfillment."

"It simply has become imperative that the developed world, itself the leading sinner on climate offenses, takes serious and effective measures to cut emissions on the one hand, while supporting developing countries to adapt to, and mitigate the effects of this man-made planetary if not cosmic disaster."

Jurelang Zedkaia, president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, said, "The only way to arrive at a true agreement, a consensus for a new, low-carbon world, is to provide a strong legal instrument for confidence-building, finance delivery and technology-sharing. This consensus must be enshrined in legally binding framework that builds on existing structures by extending Kyoto Protocol, and takes them to the next level with a second treaty which enshrines firm action by all nations."

Nguyen Dzung, prime minister of Vietnam, said, "The UN framework Convention on climate change and Kyoto Protocol with amendments and supplements applicable to countries with high emission will continue to serve as the fundamental legal framework for the international community to act against climate change."

"Developed countries must take the lead in making strong commitments and setting out specific targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the mid-term and long-term so that the average temperature rise will not exceed two degree Celsius by the end of this century."

Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan, president of the Republic of Surinamem, said, "We must adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Suriname appeals to all to continue working towards an internationally legally binding instrument that builds upon and preserves the integrity of the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change."

Marcus Stephen, president of the Republic of Nauru, said, "We are trapped, with the Pacific Ocean surrounding us on all sides. Sea levels are rising and we have nowhere else to go. We must be practical and realistic. What we need now are serious solutions. Alegally binding agreement is an essential component of a robust framework of global environmental governance. There can be no political agreement when there is no political will."

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2009)