17 October 2008: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated
that EU proposals on tackling climate change could spur “green” growth and
generate millions of new jobs.

In a statement, he expressed concern over the
effects of the financial crisis on the developing world, and stressed the need
to maintain our momentum on global warming. He called on the EU to continue
providing leadership on climate change, noting recent decisions taken at its
summit in Brussels, Belgium. Referring to ongoing climate negotiations, Ban
encouraged industrialized countries to step up their financing of clean
technology and assistance to developing nations to adapt to climate change. He
concluded by noting that the climate meeting in December 2008 in Poznan,
Poland, “offers a chance to send precisely the right signal” and hoped “that
world leaders will seize the opportunity.” [UN
Press Release]