Chairperson Emil Salim unwittingly helped non-government organisations (ngos) put their finger on the biggest hurdle at the Bali meeting. "What are we going to do about the us?' a tired Salim was heard asking his neighbour after a difficult negotiating session during the first week of the meeting. Salim thought his microphone was switched off, when in fact it was not. His question was heard loud and clear in the conference room, and was gleefully adopted by the ngos.

Within the hour, most activists were seen wearing handwritten badges loudly airing Salim's question. Enterprising activists placed orders for T-shirts carrying the line. Unfortunately for them, the un played spoilsport by warning participants the next morning that anybody caught with a badge or T-shirt targeted at any specific un member would be thrown out and not allowed to participate in the meeting.