11 December 2008: Speaking at the opening of the High-level Segment of the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, taking place in Poznań, Poland, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the urgency to take action, and called for renewed global solidarity to tackle the financial and climate change crises, calling the latter “the defining challenge of our era.”

He stated that these crises provide the opportunity to invest in a
“green future,” underlining the need for a “Green New Deal” that will
fight climate change, create millions of green jobs and spur green
growth. He also underscored the need for a climate agreement, urged
delegates to show leadership and outlined some national actions already
underway to tackle climate change.
Ban listed the three objectives of the Poznań meeting, namely: agreeing
on a work-plan for 2009’s negotiations; sketching out the critical
elements of a long-term vision; and “re-committing ourselves to the
urgency of our cause.” In concluding, he suggested launching a “new
Copernican revolution,” and making the conference a “moment when we
turned away from a past that no longer works toward a more equitable
and prosperous future.”
Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, also stressed that “there are
already clear signs of urgency,” calling on participants to lay the
cornerstone for strong action in Copenhagen by giving “new meaning” to
the term leadership. He urged delegates to provide “clear political
guidance” and show resolve, underlining that “the clock is ticking down
towards Copenhagen.” Recalling that a “breakthrough” was reached in
Bali last year, he said Poznań should make progress. He stated that
delegates should send signals to the world that they are ready to: put
in place finance structures to make the transition to a low-emissions
pathway; govern those structures as equal partners; and push towards
Copenhagen in close cooperation. He concluded by stating that, in
Copenhagen, delegates will have to fulfill the promise of the Bali Road
Map, thereby responding “to the greatest threat hanging over humanity.”
[UN Press Release] [UN Secretary-General’s Statement] [UNFCCC Executive Secretary’s statement]