The United Nations Climate Change Conference has opened in the Mexican resort city of Cancun. Some 25-thousand participants are to search for solutions to global warming.

 

The participants came from 194 countries. They include representatives from governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations and research institutions.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon said at the opening ceremony that the Cancun conference shows the responsibility of human beings to fight against global warming.

He said, "The world expects, and expects a responsible answer from all of us. We have to show in Cancun we are able to fulfil a file of disagreements and simulations or if we really could start a new time of action to face climate change."

Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change expressed his hope for the conference.

He said, "We hope Cancun signifies a major step in action to deal with the challenge of climate change. The available scientific knowledge of this field justifies it and the global community rightly expects it."

The parties will try to reach a legally binding treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, although the chance is slim.

They will also focus on issues that include green technology transfer and additional financial support to developing countries.

The Cancun conference is a major step for the international community to advance the "Bali Road Map" negotiations.

Last year's conference in Copenhagen failed to reach a legally binding treaty for the years beyond 2012 when the Kyoto Protocol expires.