United Nations Radio

Climate change and its likely global effects dominated discussions this week between UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United States President Barack Obama.

windmills in Denmark

The Secretary-General told reporters Thursday that he and President Obama agree that climate change is an existential threat:

"President Obama and I share a fundamental commitment: 2009 must be the year of climate change. That means reaching a comprehensive agreement in Copenhagen by year's end. Climate change also dominated my discussions with U.S congressional leaders.  With US leadership, in partnership with the United Nations we can and will reach a climate change deal that all nations can embrace."

The climate change summit takes place in Copenhagen in December to come up with a new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.
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