FRAMEWORK BEYOND KYOTO NEEDED THAT EMBRACES ALL COUNTRIES, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

IN VIDEO MESSAGE TO INVESTORS SUMMIT ON CLIMATE RISK

Following is the text of the video message by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the second Investors Summit on Climate Risk today:

Dear friends,

It is an honour to welcome you back to the United Nations for this important and truly international event.

I remember the detailed discussions we had 18 months ago.

So I am well aware that I can't tell you anything about the risks of climate change that you don't already know.

One piece of good news since then is that the Kyoto Protocol has come into force.

That means the world is now using market mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions.  That offers exciting opportunities for the investment community.

But Kyoto is only a first step.  We need a framework for the years beyond 2012 that embraces all countries and makes full use of new technologies.

Your choices and pronouncements can make decision makers in government and industry take climate change seriously.

And your investments can point the way toward smart policies and breakthrough technologies for energy and transport.

As investors from four continents, and as leaders of the financial community, you are essential to our ability to slow down climate change and mitigate its worst effects.

You are accustomed to thinking big, and thinking long term.  Those are exactly the skills we need to address one of the greatest challenges of this century.

Thank you for working with the United Nations.  I hope your discussions in our conference rooms will lead to bold action in your boardrooms. 

* *** *