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World leaders at climate summit UN's Ban urges action on climate
(about 2 hours later)
Leaders of 80 countries are attending a special UN meeting in New York to discuss the effects of global warming and the ways to combat it. The UN General Secretary, Ban Ki-moon, has warned that urgent action is needed to tackle climate change.
The meeting comes just days after scientists reported that more Arctic ice melted this year than ever before. He told world leaders at a special UN meeting on global warming in New York that a breakthrough needed to be made in international climate negotiations.
The UN climate chief says a breakthrough is essential. Leaders and representatives of 150 countries gathered to discuss global warming and how to combat it.
US President George W Bush will not be present, hosting instead a meeting of 16 "major emitter" countries in Washington on Thursday and Friday. The meeting came just days after scientists said that more Arctic ice melted this year than ever before.
However, the attendance of 150 countries and 80 heads of state makes Monday's meeting the most high-level UN gathering on climate change. 'Devastating impact'
Mr Ban told the unprecedented gathering that "the time for doubt has passed".
"If we do not act now, the impact of climate change will be devastating," he said.
Scientists say that the Arctic ice cap is melting faster than ever"We have affordable measures and technologies to begin addressing the problem right now. What we do not have is time."
He said the United Nations was the appropriate forum to negotiate a global deal on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
US President George W Bush was not present, however. Instead, he is hosting a meeting of 16 "major emitter" countries in Washington on Thursday and Friday.
The attendance of 150 countries including 80 heads of state and government makes Monday's meeting the most high-level UN gathering on climate change.
Political impetusPolitical impetus
UN climate chief, Yvo de Boer, said: "I expect the meeting on Monday to express a sense of urgency in terms of negotiating progress that needs to be made."
California is moving the United States beyond debate and doubt to action Arnold Schwarzenegger,California governor
The BBC's environment reporter, Matt McGrath, says this meeting will not solve the problems of climate change but UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hopes it will give impetus to negotiations on global warming that are due to take place in Bali, Indonesia, in December.The BBC's environment reporter, Matt McGrath, says this meeting will not solve the problems of climate change but UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hopes it will give impetus to negotiations on global warming that are due to take place in Bali, Indonesia, in December.
Mr Ban said: "Bali must advance a negotiating agenda to combat climate change on all fronts, including adaptation, mitigation, clean technologies, deforestation and resource mobilisation." Ahead of the meeting, Mr Ban said: "Bali must advance a negotiating agenda to combat climate change on all fronts, including adaptation, mitigation, clean technologies, deforestation and resource mobilisation."
The secretary general will deliver the keynote address at Monday's summit, entitled "The Future in Our Hands: Addressing the Leadership Challenge of Climate Change."
Our correspondent says the large turnout of heads of government, plus California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former US Vice President Al Gore, is likely to encourage the UN that politicians are ready to commit to long-term, legally binding reductions on emissions of greenhouse gases.Our correspondent says the large turnout of heads of government, plus California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former US Vice President Al Gore, is likely to encourage the UN that politicians are ready to commit to long-term, legally binding reductions on emissions of greenhouse gases.
Governor Schwarzenegger said ahead of the meeting: "California is moving the United States beyond debate and doubt to action."
Mr Bush, who does not support binding emission targets, will not take part in the formal discussions but will be joining Mr Ban and other key leaders for dinner.Mr Bush, who does not support binding emission targets, will not take part in the formal discussions but will be joining Mr Ban and other key leaders for dinner.