8 September 2009: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will convene a Summit on Climate Change on 22 September 2009, to focus the attention of Heads of State and Government on the need for urgent action and to mobilize the political will needed to reach a fair, effective and scientifically ambitious global climate agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.

Janos Pasztor, Director of Secretary-General Ban’s Climate Change Support Team, explained at a UN press conference that the Climate Change Summit is intended to provide “political momentum at the highest level to accelerate progress.” Pasztor emphasized that all States are invited to the Summit, stating “this is not just for eight countries or 20, but for 192.” He said the Summit will not be a negotiating session, but will be aimed at advancing the negotiations. It will provide a forum where leaders can discuss fundamental issues, find common ground and provide guidance to their negotiators. Its main outcome will be captured in a Chair’s Summary. [The Announcement][UN Press release]