NAGOYA — Negotiators at COP10 were close to agreement Thursday evening on key issues regarding access to genetic resources and post-2010 biodiversity protection targets, but fundamental points remained unresolved.

Environment Minister Ryu Matsumoto, as president of COP10, gave negotiators until midnight to work out final details. The conferees were expected to formally endorse all decisions made over the past two weeks on Friday afternoon, when the meeting ends.

Following two days of intense discussions among 50 delegates, led by eight facilitators appointed by Japan, to help reach an access and benefit-sharing protocol and agree to targets over the next decade for preserving biodiversity, an update was presented to all delegates.