10 February 2009: In a press conference given at UN Headquarters in New York, US, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon provided an overview of his recent travels. He recalled that in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum, he spoke on climate change and stressed the need for “global leadership of the highest order” to complete the negotiations in December in Copenhagen. He also mentioned that in Delhi, India, at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, he argued for “green growth” or a Green New Deal that stimulates economic growth and fights climate change by investing in renewable energy. He indicated that he would carry this theme forward at the upcoming G-20 summit meeting in London, UK, on 2 April.

Responding to a question on his discussions with US President Obama, he stated that he had expressed his support to all the major objectives and goals of the UN, including climate change and the Millennium Development Goals. Ban concluded by confirming that he is planning to organize a high-level event with Heads of State and Government for all member States on the margins of the General Assembly in September 2009, and indicated that he is consulting with countries concerned about the possibility of convening another high-level summit meeting in the coming months, during which the participation of President Obama “will be crucially important.” [Press Conference Transcript] [UN Press Release]