Ban marks UN Year of Climate Change

In his New Year’s message to Koreans, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the Korean government to take a more active role in global efforts to tackle climate change. Ban stressed that this is the UN Year of Climate Change, urging Seoul to live up to its growing status in the international community.

“Climate change, which is threatening the future of all mankind and the entire globe, is an urgent task that all members of the international community, regardless of ethnicity or national boundaries, must tackle altogether,” the former Korean foreign minister said in the message.

“So I designated 2009 as the UN Year of Climate Change and expect the Korean government and the international community to participate more actively and offer support for the UN’s efforts to tackle the problem.”

Ban, who took the top seat at the UN in 2006, has often voiced his frustration with Seoul for its meager contribution to global projects to fight issues such as poverty, climate change and AIDS. He echoed that sentiment in yesterday’s message as well, saying he expects Korea “to play certain roles and make contributions to such global efforts, in line with its economic power.”

By Jung Ha-won Staff Reporter [hawon@joongang.co.kr]