December 14, 2009 - African countries, supported by members of the G77, withdraw from the talks because of the refusal of rich countries to negotiate more binding reductions.

The beginning of the most critical week of the Copenhagen Climate Summit could not have been more chaotic. While long queues of people were waiting outside to enter a completely overcrowded conference center, African countries, supported by the G77 group of developing countries, have left the negotiation table due to the refusal of rich countries to discuss a legally binding emissions treaty.

Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International said: