15 DECEMBER 2009

Let's make it Hopenhagen as a U.N. support group of advertisers branded its campaign for a Climate Change agreement.

Our Secretary General has been leading a persistent campaign for obtaining a binding commitment by participating heads of state in Copenhagen. Due to his efforts, there is unprecedented momentum for an agreement. We don't like calling it a "deal;" it smacks of a polluted atmosphere. So many nations, so many powerful players, so many grass root movements have displayed their concerns about harmful emissions; about negative impacts of threatening climate change.

True, the Secretariat campaign has not been at the level of the Secretary General's determination. Yet, we all stand by him and with him in the commitment and the hope that Copenhagen can and must be the turning point in the world's efforts to prevent uncontrolled climate change and usher in a new era of "green growth."

With over 100 heads of state attending the high level segment, we fully share the Secretary General's admonition that: "We must seize this moment and continue pushing with still higher ambition. Now is the time of action -- and results."

For raising the stakes; for keeping the pressure; for maintaining the momentum; for an enlightened commitment, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has earned full support. And whatever the outcome of Copenhagen, he deserves thanks.