The head of the UN climate change secretariat expressed confidence that a new global deal on climate change will be reached at a meeting in Copenhagen next year, despite disagreement at talks this week. Yvo de Boer made these remarks during a speech at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris. The European Union and environmentalists have called for action on climate change at recent talks in Bonn, but the United States has expressed reluctance to take substantial steps at this time. The Copenhagen meeting in 2009 aims to establish a new treaty on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. De Boer believes that increasing public awareness of the consequences of inaction on global warming will pressure governments to take action, particularly following the agreement reached at the Bali summit on climate change in the previous year. He stated that there is an expectation for a mutually agreed upon outcome in Copenhagen, similar to how negotiations were launched in Bali. He believes that politicians should not leave Copenhagen without finalizing the deal, which should be concise and centered on key issues that require an international agreement. He emphasized the importance of allowing national governments the freedom to shape and implement their own policies within the pact. He expressed hope that unnecessary elements would not be included in the agreement. Earlier, De Boer spoke to journalists and mentioned that the United States' ability to take concrete action had been limited by the presidential election. However, he expressed his belief that all major candidates in the race understood the urgency for action. De Boer chose not to criticize the U.S. position, stating that Washington had acted responsibly by not making commitments that would bind a future administration. He expressed hope for progress in the coming year.