The environment state minister has criticized developed countries for their deceptive behavior regarding climate funds. Hasan Mahmud stated that rich countries have not lived up to their promise to reduce carbon emissions and have failed to provide the $30 billion they pledged for Fast Start Funding at the Copenhagen conference in December 2009. Hasan noted that only eight percent of the funds had been paid by November 2011, despite the commitment to clear them by 2012. "He mentioned that there is a deception at play here. The claim is that the money has already been provided, but upon closer inspection, it is clear that the funds given in 2008 are being labeled as Fast Start Funding," he explained. The roundtable discussion took place in preparation for an upcoming climate change conference in Durban, South Africa starting on November 28. The minister of state revealed that Bangladesh had put forth a suggestion for a central organization to allocate the funds during the conference." He also emphasized that priority should be given to countries in need when distributing funds, rather than favoring countries with better relations with donors. Hasan expressed disappointment with developed countries for not making significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, holding them responsible for global warming. He noted that a person in Bangladesh emits 0.3 tonnes of carbon per year. The figure is 1.6 tonnes in developing nations and 15-20 tonnes in developed countries. He also mentioned his optimism for a positive result from the Climate Vulnerable Forum on Sunday, which will have the participation of United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The roundtable was led by chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation.