A group of key emerging economies, such as China and India, have joined forces to exert pressure on developed countries during the upcoming climate change talks in Copenhagen. Through two days of discussions in Beijing, these nations have agreed on important issues, including the necessity for the West to offer financial aid and technology to assist developing countries in addressing global warming. This meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Sudan, the current head of the Group of 77 developing nations. China, as the top emitter of greenhouse gases, India as the fourth largest emitter, and Brazil as a significant emitter due to deforestation, have all faced calls to reduce their carbon emissions, and have announced strategies to achieve this goal. They claim that the efforts of wealthy nations to combat climate change are not sufficient when considered together. A statement released after a meeting held on Friday and Saturday stated that the purpose of the gathering was to prepare for a positive, ambitious, and fair outcome in Copenhagen. The participants view this work as a positive starting point and plan to continue collaborating in the coming days and weeks to contribute to a consensus in Copenhagen. The meeting in Copenhagen was expected to establish the framework for a more comprehensive and stringent legally binding climate agreement to either expand or replace the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire in 2012. However, the negotiations that began in Bali two years ago have not succeeded in bridging the gap between wealthy and developing nations on issues such as reducing emissions, monitoring and reporting them, and determining who should bear the costs. Denmark and several wealthy nations are supporting a proposal to finalize a comprehensive political agreement at Copenhagen and then work on the legally binding details in 2010. However, some developing nations are pushing for a more robust outcome. These nations are also voicing concerns about attempts to replace the Kyoto Protocol with a new agreement or incorporate its provisions into another agreement. The European Union believes that Kyoto has not been successful in reducing emissions from wealthy nations and is advocating for a new agreement. The Beijing statement emphasized the importance of keeping the Kyoto Protocol in place, with wealthy countries being responsible for reducing emissions during the protocol's second commitment period starting in 2013. Developing countries have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in exchange for assistance from developed nations, as outlined in a draft negotiation strategy presented by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. China's top climate negotiator will present the strategy in Copenhagen, with some viewing it as a rejection of Denmark's proposal for a political agreement. The WWF believes this challenge from emerging economies is expected and necessary for progress in climate change negotiations. The Danish proposal is weak, to be honest, and governments in the developing world are not naïve.