7 December 2009: The UN General Assembly has adopted by consensus a resolution on the protection of the global climate for present and future generations by which it calls on States to work cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC through the urgent implementation of its provisions.
With the adoption of the resolution, which had been forwarded to the Assembly by its Second Committee (Economic and Financial) (document A/64/420/Add.4), the General Assembly noted its appreciation for the Danish Government’s hosting of the 15th session of the Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the UNFCCC and encouraged States to approach Copenhagen with “ambition, optimism and determination,” and with a view to making the Conference a success.

In the resolution, the Assembly urges developed countries to undertake ambitious and enhanced commitments under the Kyoto Protocol in subsequent commitment periods, and recognizes the urgency of providing financial and technical resources, as well as capacity building and technology transfer, to developing countries. Parties to the Convention are urged, and parties to the Kyoto Protocol invited, to continue to use the information in the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). By the resolution, the Assembly also reaffirms the need to address climate change in a manner that enhances the sustainable development and sustained economic growth of the developing countries and the eradication of poverty through the promotion of sustainable development principles. [UN Press Release]