17 September 2009: The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) of the UN General Assembly has decided to discuss the protection of global climate for present and future generations.

The Committee approved its programme of work for the 64th session on 17 September 2009. Besides climate change, the programme includes consideration of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the report on the 25th session of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council, sustainable mountain development, and the promotion of new and renewable sources of energy, among other sustainable development issues. [UN press release]