CRI听力: UN chief sees renewed multilateralism, global solidarity crucial to tackling global challenge

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed the need for renewed multilateralism to tackle a host of global challenges, including climate change, the economic crisis and disarmament. The three issues will take center stage during the upcoming UN General Assembly session. Wang Ling has more.

Reporter:
Ban Ki-moon told a news conference at the UN Headquarters in New York that it's a crucial time for the international community to make decisive movement on a variety of fronts.

Ban said that foremost among them is climate change.(www.hXen.com)

On next Tuesday, the secretary-general will convene the largest-ever gathering of heads of state and government on climate change.

"SB 1 to be added"

The meeting aims to mobilize political momentum to ensure a successful conclusion to the negotiations on a new pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will culminate in Copenhagen in December.

With only about 80 days until the UN climate change conference, Ban said he wanted world leaders to show they understand the gravity of climate risks.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general noted that one year on from the start of the global financial crisis, there is talk of the "green shoots of recovery", and yet the data shows another picture.

Ban also highlighted a "crucial window of opportunity" regarding disarmament, recalling the recent pledge by the leaders of the United States and Russia to cut their nuclear arsenals.

In this regard, he said he is pleased that the Security Council, chaired by US President Barack Obama whose country holds the rotating council presidency for September, will hold a summit meeting on September 24 to address this issue.

Wang Ling, CRI News.