Climate change: Ban asks leaders show urgency

The Tribune , Friday, June 08, 2007
Correspondent : Vibha Sharma
United Nations, June 7

Ahead of the G-8 summit in Germany where climate change will be in focus, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked world leaders to act with "greater urgency" on the issue as it would have a major impact on the lives of the poor nations.

Ban, who was on his way to the Summit, said as the only global forum, the United Nations, is uniquely positioned to forge a common approach to combating climate change.

His comments come in the context of fears being expressed that the rich nations might like to settle the issue outside the world body which would deprive the poor nations to have their say.

In his message to first session of Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Ban called for renewed commitment to save lives and livelihoods from effects of natural hazards, particularly in the developing nations where the world's poorest live.

"And we must act with even greater urgency given the impact of climate change which could result in more extreme weather, rising sea levels and increasingly intense storms and droughts.

"This could affect millions of people. Risk reduction is our front-line defence against these threats," said Ban, calling on those present "to act with common purpose" in addressing the problem.

Representatives of more than 100 governments are attending the meeting, which is also attracting the participation of the UN and other specialised organisations, academic institutions, financial associations, NGOs and civil society groups

 
SOURCE : The Tribune, Friday, 08 June 2007
 


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