A group of key emerging economies, such as China and India, have joined forces to exert pressure on developed nations during the upcoming climate change talks in Copenhagen. After two days of discussions in Beijing, these countries have agreed on important issues, including the necessity for the West to provide financial aid and technology to assist developing nations in fighting global warming. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Sudan, who currently chairs the Group of 77 developing countries. China, the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, India, the fourth largest emitter, and Brazil, a significant emitter due to deforestation, have all faced calls to reduce their carbon emissions and have announced plans to do so. They claim that the efforts of wealthy nations to combat climate change are not sufficient. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare for a successful outcome in Copenhagen, as stated in a released statement following the talks held on Friday and Saturday. The meeting was intended to establish a stronger and more comprehensive climate agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. However, negotiations that began in Bali two years ago have not successfully addressed the differences between rich and poor nations regarding emission reduction, monitoring, and financial responsibilities. Denmark and several wealthy nations are in favor of finalizing a political agreement in Copenhagen and working out the legally binding details in 2010, rather than immediately creating a new agreement. Developing nations are pushing for a stronger outcome. Developing nations are concerned about attempts to replace the Kyoto Protocol with a new agreement or incorporating its provisions into another agreement. The European Union believes Kyoto has not been effective in reducing emissions from wealthy nations and supports the need for a new agreement. The Beijing statement emphasized the importance of keeping the Kyoto Protocol in place, with wealthy nations shouldering the responsibility of reducing emissions in line with the protocol's second commitment period starting in 2013. In exchange for assistance, developing economies would commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and other participants followed a 10-page draft negotiation strategy presented by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Beijing's chief climate negotiator, Xie Zhenhua, was set to present the strategy in Copenhagen. The WWF noted that the Beijing statement seemed to oppose Denmark's suggestion of a political agreement in Copenhagen. WWF's Global Climate Initiative leader, Kim Carstensen, expressed little surprise at the challenge posed by emerging economies to the developed world. The Danish proposal is very weak, to be honest, and the governments of developing countries are not foolish.