The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-09-23

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

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[01] Ban Ki-moon Urges Agreement to Combat Global Warming

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 09:57

At a summit at the United Nations in NY, on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told world leaders they need to strengthen efforts to deal with global warming in view of the summit in Copenhagen, Denmark in December. Earlier, he called on member nations for urgent actions, expressing his concern at limited time and complicated negotiations. Talks will be also held on issues such as disarmament and poverty as over 100 million people live under poverty line. Foreign Ministers of member nations are also scheduled to meet today to discuss protocol for the end of nuclear tests.

Attention Centered on Cost to Tackle Global Warming

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says failure to reach a broad agreement before the end of the year would be "morally inexcusable, economically short-sighted and politically unwise." Attending the summit on global warming are over 100 leaders among them Libya leader Gadhafi and Iran president Ahmadinejad.

Leaders spoke strongly of a need for action to combat climate change but madefew new pledges of domestic action. China won praise for outlining curbs on its rising emissions for 2020. Pressure is building for governments to show what they are willing to do.

The U.N. Climate Secretariat has said Copenhagen needs at a minimum to agree steps including deep 2020 cuts in emissions by developed nations, new actions by developing nations to curb their rising emissions, and ways to raise funds. But it says that a lot of details, such as exactly how to raise money and how to share it out, can be left for later. It has suggested $10 billion on the table in Copenhagen as a sign of good faith by rich nations.

Governments plan agreement in 2009 to give good time for ratification before the existing Kyoto Protocol's first period runs out at the end of 2012. Kyoto binds Developed nations to cutting emissions but does not demand curbs by developingstates.

Sources: Reuters, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 27031

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