1 December 2009: In a video address on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the threat posed by climate change to the Antarctic ecosystem. He stated that international cooperation in and for Antarctica provides an example for all and urged Antarctic Treaty parties to “do [their] part to ensure that this month’s conference in Copenhagen lays the foundation for a legally binding climate treaty.”
In addition, in a message delivered on his behalf by Ján Kubiš, Executive Secretary of UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), at the ministerial council meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Athens, Greece, Ban urged ministers to do their part to make Copenhagen a success. He also indicated that he would welcome “new initiatives emanating from the long-standing cooperation” among the OSCE, the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UNECE, under the umbrella of the Environment and Security Initiative. [UN Press Release][Video Message][Statement to the OSCE Meeting]