Posted by Daniel, political advisor at the Bali International Conference Centre

The music was pretty cheesy. But when it was over, the UN climate negotiations were formally started. At last. The most important two weeks in (climate) diplomacy over the last decade are now under way. David Mwiraria, Kenya's environment minister, found the right words. Climate action is not as strong and fast as the emergency we face demands, he said, and appealed to delegates that "negotiations need to speed up." Indeed, they must. So why, you wonder, do we have to sit through minutes and minutes of Bali tourism advertising in the opening session (though the movie did apparently relate to a Bali event against climate change)? It reminded us of what we will not see - as we sit in a huge, window-less room, sweating ... This ain't no holiday and now the Head of the UNFCCC is speaking - so I better listen. You can listen to him too - here.