Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband today opened the Major Economies Forum in London, along with US co-chair Mike Froman.

The two-day meeting in London brings together 17 major economies and gives informal space for countries to talk about their goals but also any concerns they may have. MEF covers most of the climate issues discussed in the official UNFCCC talks ahead of Copenhagen but is not an official part of the negotiations.

Vulnerable voices

The London-hosted MEF will, for the first time, also bring vulnerable countries to the table. Algeria, Banglasdesh, Lesotho, Costa Rica, Maldives, and Ethiopia are amongst those in attendance.

Having passed the 50 days' to go mark, it's clear that sucess at Copenhagen remains in the balance. It is processes outside of the formal negotations – like the MEF – that can help make progress on key strands of the Copenhagen agenda. Climate finance is one of those key strands which will progressed at today and tomorrow's MEF.

Related links

View images of the MEF

View Channel 4 footage of Ed Miliband outside the MEF

UK looks to break climate logjam, BBC News 17 October 2009

Miliband condemns climate protests, Channel 4 18 October 2009

Copenhagen climate change talks are last chance, says Gordon Brown, Guardian 19 October 2009

PM warns of climate 'catastrophe', BBC News 19 October 2009

Download the Chair's summary, PDF 87.50KB

Chair's Summary: Fifth Meeting of the Leaders' Representatives of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, U.S department of state 20 October 2009