September 24, UN Secretary General Calls for Building Momentum in Climate Change Policy

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saught to advance the global agenda on climate change when he met with heads of state and other top officials from more than 150 countries at United Nations Headquarters on 24 September. More than 70 heads of state or government attended the one-day event, making it the largest meeting ever of world leaders on climate change which was aimed at securing political commitment and building momentum for the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali where negotiations about a new international climate agreement should start. "Bali must advance a negotiating agenda to combat climate change on all fronts, including adaptation, mitigation, clean technologies, deforestation and resource mobilization," said Mr. Ban, who has made the issue one of his top priorities. "We cannot go on this way for long," Mr. Ban said, addressing a recent session of the UN General Assembly. "We cannot continue with business as usual. The time has come for decisive action on a global scale." The event was webcast and can be accessed at http://www.un.org/climatechange/2007highlevel/