Environment ministers convene in Paris to discuss climate change

The climate change summit convened in Paris Monday at the level of environment ministers.

Egypt's Khaled Fahmy is representing Africa in the meeting.

Negotiations have entered a decisive stage, with only five days left for parties to solve pending problems before drafting an agreement to face climate imbalance.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius had pressed for drafting a final agreement by Thursday; one day before the end of the summit.

Negotiators from 195 countries submitted a draft agreement after one week of hard talks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, believing the Paris conference is on the right road.

France is seeking to reach consensus solutions to set a five-year revision mechanism with the aim to enhance commitment of world countries to limit the use of fossil energy sources and develop the use of renewable energy.

Egypt is pressing for a world agreement based on joint responsibility and different burdens, and taking into consideration assistance from developed countries to developing countries to help them cope with climate change.

Southern Mediterranean countries are seeking guarantees that 100 billion dollars will be secured annually by 2020 to support clean and renewable energy projects.

The ministers should reach an agreement to reduce temperature by two degrees, with scientists warning that any further rise in temperature will have devastating effects in terms of increased drought and floods, and reduced agricultural crops.