Country UN climate talks

The United Nations billed Monday's meeting as the largest ever gathering of world leaders on the topic of global warming. In that respect, it was indeed symbolic. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon sought to create a sense of mission by saying that the world's response to climate change will "define us, our era and ultimately the global legacy we leave for future generations". At the same time, nobody expected anything concrete in the way of treaty negotiations. Although the event included four simultaneous sessions on adaptation, mitigation, technology and financing, its primary purpose was to engage world leaders and increase political support for action on global warming. Did the United States play a role?