Public sector financing is key to a strong outcome at the Copenhagen climate change talks, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that Zuma participated in a video conference, convened by the Prime Minister of Denmark, Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

Zuma aired his views on the conference attended by United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki Moon and other world leaders.

The discussions were held to get the views of leaders on achieving a strong outcome for the climate talks, scheduled from December 7 to December 18.

"President Zuma expressed his view that a strong financing package for both mitigation and adaptation, which is primarily based on public sector contributions, is a key element that is necessary for a strong outcome," said Magwenya.

"He also expressed South Africa's view that the negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol should continue and should be an integral element of the Copenhagen outcome."

Magwenya said Zuma stressed the need for an outcome in which developed countries take on deep emission reductions in line with what was required by science.

"In stating his views, the President supports the essential elements of the African position in the negotiations, namely the centrality of deep emission cuts by developed countries," said Magwenya.

"In this, the need for developing countries to both address climate change and address their challenges of poverty eradication needs for economic development is key."