Speaker Sisulu also expressed concern with the deliberate manipulation and denial of humanitarian aid. It was important to take cognizance that almost 90% of natural disasters are linked to climate change. This was especially important in ensuring that progress was made during the forthcoming Climate Change Conference taking place in Mexico at the end of the year and in South Africa in 2011. It was stressed that failure to reach an agreement could not be an option that the world or developing countries in particular could afford. He reiterated the call for developed countries to take the lead in mitigating the impact of climate change.