Brussels, 30/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - International experts are currently involved in negotiations in Durban (COP 17, 29 November - 9 December) on the future of the Kyoto Protocol. Appeals for government u-turns are increasing in one form or another in an effort to begin saving our future, according to Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa and COP 17, who was speaking at the opening of the conference. On 5 December, however, negotiations enter their decisive phase with the ministerial segment of the conference. Connie Hedegaard, the European commissioner for climate action, reiterated on 28 November her hope that Durban would constitute a key stage towards concluding a global, ambitious and binding framework and that all countries would demonstrate the political determination and leadership required to reach an agreement on a clear roadmap and timetable for this framework in the future, and that it is applied by 2020 at the latest. Greenpeace International sees things somewhat differently, however, and said that the argument according to which, the US as a major country responsible for emissions should be part of the global agreement, is increasingly becoming an excuse for inaction on the part of other governments, such as the EU and developing economies. The EU's ACP partner countries and NGOs point out that Africa, particularly the small island states in the Pacific are fighting for their survival. For the time being, Durban can be sure of one thing: the next conference (COP 18) will take place in Qatar on 26 November - 7 December 2012 and the Republic of Korea will host the ministerial preparatory meeting. For all other issues, everything is still wide open. (AN/transl.fl)