An Analysis of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bangkok, Thailand

After COP 16 in Cancun, Mexico, many Parties had hoped that the goodwill and constructive sentiments of that session would carry over into the first negotiations of 2011.

But the tone in Bangkok signaled that the "honeymoon was over" in the eyes of many. Unfortunately, substantive formal negotiations did not take place over the week, as circular discussions marred progress in the AWG-KP track and disagreement over the meeting agenda hindered negotiations from even beginning in the AWG-LCA track.Late in the evening on the final day of negotiations, a compromise agenda was finally agreed to under the AWG-LCA. The agenda reflected key elements of the Cancun Agreements, such as financing, nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) and technology transfer, while also addressing key elements of the Bali Action Plan (and key priorities for developing countries) such as adaptation, capacity building and discussions of the legal form of a post-2012 agreement. Negotiators remain hopeful that with the agenda (finally) agreed upon, Parties can get back to business at the next negotiating session in Bonn, Germany, June 6-17, 2011.