Ban to push for climate deal at Copenhagen

I / United Nations November 27, 2009, 10:07 IST

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon will make a final push to enlist support for a climate deal at the crucial Copenhagen summit as he meets world leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet in Port of Spain, also being attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The UN Climate Change Chief, Yvo de Boer has welcomed the announcements by the US and China for concrete action as steps to "unlock two of the last doors to a comprehensive agreement".

Over the next two days in Port of Spain, Ban will urge the Commonwealth leaders to stay focused and committed to reach an agreement "that is ambitious, equitable, and satisfies the demands of science," spokesperson for Ban told journalists here.

"The world cannot afford to fail in Copenhagen because the costs are simply too great, the Secretary-General will urge the leaders," he said.

US President Barack Obama announced recently that he will attend the meeting in Copenhagen.

"Failure to seal a deal could result in increased human suffering, higher economic losses, opportunities squandered in terms of productivity, global competitiveness and political stability," the spokesperson said.

The initial plan was that around 192 countries at the meet in the Danish capital were expected to hammer out a climate treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol since the first commitment period under this treaty ends in 2012.