12 November 2009: In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the invitation by Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen of Denmark for Heads of State and government to attend the closing days of the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen on 17-18 December 2009.
Secretary-General Ban stressed the importance of the direct involvement of Heads of State and government in order to reach consensus on the core issues of a possible global climate change agreement. He also underscored the need to maintain political momentum at the highest level and from all sectors of society, and expressed confidence that “an ambitious, fair and effective climate deal can be reached at Copenhagen.” [UN press release]