Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 24, 2007

World Leaders Gather for UN Climate Change Meeting
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=199CC78:A6F02AD83191E160EF29A488A83224619574F7DCC14957C0 UN
secretary-general hosting one-day conference which includes about 80
government leaders, representatives of 150 countries More than 140
countries have gathered at the United Nations for a summit on climate
change. U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki moon says the earth's warming is
an urgent, global challenge that requires unprecedented leadership and
immediate action. From U.N. headquarters in New York, VOA's Margaret
Besheer has more.







Ban Ki-moon

In his opening address to the summit, Mr. Ban said he is convinced
that climate change, and what the international community does about
it, will define our era and the global legacy we leave for future
generations.

"Today, the time for doubt has passed," he said. "The United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has unequivocally affirmed
the warming of our climate system, and linked it directly to human
activity."

Experts say 11 of the past 12 years rank among the warmest in global
surface temperature in more than 150 years. Such warming has serious
consequences for the earth, causing glaciers to melt more rapidly, sea
level to rise, and puts some plant and animal species at increased
risk of extinction.

The secretary-general pointed out that the effects of climate change
are worldwide, but often impact developing countries the most, even
though they have contributed the least to the process. But he said
global warming does not have to be a serious threat to development.

"By being creative, we can reduce emissions while promoting economic
growth," he said. "This is our opportunity to advance sustainable
development; encourage new kinds of cleaner technologies, industries
and jobs; and integrate climate change risks into national policies
and practices."







Members of General Assembly watch a movie on global warming at start
of UN climate summit at UN headquarters, 24 Sept 2007 Speakers at the
summit include former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, German Chancellor
Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Secretary of
State, Condoleezza Rice, will speak at one of the sessions.

President Bush, who has long opposed negotiated limits on the
greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, will not participate in
the day's meetings, but will attend a dinner later.

Secretary-General Ban organized the one-day summit on the sidelines of
the 62nd General Assembly to build political momentum before a
U.N.-sponsored climate change conference in Bali in December. That
meeting aims to launch negotiations for an emissions -reduction
agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.


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