Secretary-General, in Message, Hails ‘Impassioned Call’ of World’s Greatest

Mountain Climbers to Save Mighty Himalayas from Perils of Climate Change

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Summiteers’ Summit to Save the Himalayas, which will be held in Copenhagen, 11 December:

I congratulate the world’s greatest mountain climbers gathered in Copenhagen to help save the mighty Himalayas -- and the communities that depend on them -- from the perils of climate change.  You have seen from the top of the world how these beautiful mountains are losing their snow-caps, how the great glaciers are melting and how the region’s rich flora and fauna are imperiled.  Hundreds of millions of people will be at risk if world leaders do not take decisive action to prevent runaway climate change and usher in a new era of green growth for all.

I thank the Government of Nepal and all others involved in convening this “Summiteers’ Summit to save the Himalayas”, and for making such an impassioned call to protect people and the planet from the ravages of climate change.

Of course, it is not just the Himalayas in jeopardy.  I have seen the melting Arctic and the burning Amazon; I have seen advancing deserts in Asia and drying lakebeds in Africa.  Should present trends continue, climate change will reverse years of development gains, exacerbate poverty, destabilize fragile States and topple Governments.

But there is hope here in Copenhagen.  From all corners of the globe, we see unprecedented momentum for a deal.  Never have so many different nations of all size and economic status made so many firm pledges together.  We must seize this moment, and continue pushing for still higher ambition.  We are united in purpose; we must now be united in action, and in results.

Thank you for contributing to our efforts to make Copenhagen a success.  You can count on the support and solidarity of the United Nations as we move ahead.  Together, let us work to save the Himalayas so our children and their children can climb and cherish these majestic mountains as you did. 

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For information media • not an official record