21 June 2010: In an address to the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum 2010, taking place from 21-23 June 2010, in Bonn, Germany, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer underlined the role played by the media in raising awareness of climate change.

He called on journalists to communicate clearly what the risks of inaction are, and how the world needs to adapt to climate change’s inevitable effects. On the ongoing climate negotiations, he stated that the upcoming 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, scheduled to take place at the end of 2010, has “the potential to complete what remained incomplete in Copenhagen.” De Boer highlighted that green growth opportunities are “perhaps under-reported” and urged journalists to devote “the time and energy required to understand and report both the human dimension and the economic aspects of climate change,” looking at the risks and opportunities. [The Speech] [Media Forum Website]