BAN URGES COUNTRIES TO ‘SEAL THE DEAL’ ON NEW CLIMATE CHANGE PACT

The September summit on climate change in New York will be the largest ever gathering of leaders on the issue, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as he urged United Nations Member States to "seal the deal" on a new global pact for reducing greenhouse gas emissions before the end of the year.

Speaking to journalists at his monthly press conference at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Ban said more than 100 heads of State and government are expected to attend the September summit, which is being held to build momentum ahead of December's international climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Two years ago, only a few leaders could speak to these issues," he said. "Today, leaders are walking the road to Copenhagen together. But, we have less than five months to seal a deal."
________________