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UNITED NATIONS - / www.MaximsNews.com@
U.N./ - 05
June 2007 –
Projected changes in Earth's
climate present more than just an environmental concern, United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has told the Organization of American States (OAS)
meeting in Panama City, warning of the “serious social and economic
implications” as well.
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Addressing last night’s
opening session of 37th OAS General Assembly on its theme “energy for
sustainable development,” Mr. Ban said
the adverse effects of climate change were already being felt in areas ranging
from agriculture and food security to human health and energy, transport and
industry.
Global warming, he added,
could seriously impair the ability to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),
the set of eight internationally agreed targets for reducing social and economic
ills, and could even reverse achievements in human development.
“Today all countries
recognize that climate change requires a long-term global response, in line with
the latest scientific findings, and compatible with economic and social
development,” he said.
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Mr. Ban’s participation in
the annual gathering was part of a two-day visit to Panama – his first trip
to Latin America as Secretary-General.
During his speech he
stressed the need for partnerships to combat climate change, adding that he
believed that members of the OAS were “already on the right track” in this
field.
“Your region has become a
world leader on biofuels, which is an area, if treated carefully, [which] has
significant potential. You are successfully implementing national energy
efficiency programmes to promote a better use of resources, greater
environmental sustainability, and economic growth.”
The OAS, which brings
together the nations of the western hemisphere, is the region’s principal
multilateral forum for strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and
confronting shared problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs and
corruption.
Yesterday, the
Secretary-General also visited the Panama Canal, where more than 14,000 ships
transit every year between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Today he heads to Madrid for
the second leg of his three-country tour. In the Spanish capital he is
scheduled to meet King Juan Carlos, Prime Minister José Luís Rodriguez
Zapatero and senior officials, and he will also visit the headquarters of the World
Tourism Organization.
The last leg will be in
Germany, where Mr. Ban will attend the summit of the Group of Eight (G8)
nations at Heiligendamm and hold a series of bilateral meetings during his
two-day visit next Thursday and Friday.
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Labels: United
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