Environment ministers from 44 key countries gathered today in Copenhagen for a two-day closed-door meeting to prepare for next month's UN conference on global warming. The delegations taking part are from the United States, China, India and Brazil as well as several island nations and African states. Danish Climate Minister Connie Hedegaard said the gathering will discuss the difficult subjects that remain, such as financing and the goals to be reached. In a statement, she said the meeting is the chance to really get to the heart of the discussions, including the really difficult issues because not much time is left. Hedegaard said the presence of environment ministers from around the world shows that there is a real willingness to reach a climate deal in Copenhagen. World leaders have been invited to Copenhagen in December to reach a new global deal to slash greenhouse gas emissions and ease the impact of climate change before the 2012 expiry of the Kyoto Protocol.<br/><br/>