Climate change focus of discussions with the UN Secretary-General

“I am very pleased to welcome UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to Norway and to have the opportunity to discuss with him how we can work together to address some of the most pressing global challenges of today,” the Prime Minister said after his meeting with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

• See photos from the event on Flickr.

The UN Secretary-General (left) and Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg met in Oslo monday morning. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Oslo today to discuss the climate change negotiations and how the UN and Norway can contribute to a strong agreement in Copenhagen in December.

“I am a cautious optimist when it comes to succeeding in Copenhagen. While I am concerned about the slow pace of the negotiations, I believe we are on the right track.  I commend the Secretary-General for his initiative to bring world leaders together in a High Level event on climate change in New York on 22 September.”

The Secretary-General is travelling to Svalbard this afternoon to visit the Arctic ice rim to observe for himself the effects of climate change.

In the meeting, the discussion also touched on the progress for UN Millennium Development Goals. Norway has taken a special responsibility for maternal and child health.

“The lack of progress on maternal mortality is shameful and tragic and reflects the low status of women in many societies. In New York in September, Secretary-General Ban and I will join British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and president of the World Bank Bob Zoellick to launch a major new initiative to mobilize support for an increased international effort in this area”, said Prime Minister Stoltenberg.

Prime Minister Stoltenberg and Secretary-General Ban also discussed the necessity of continuing UN reform.

The Prime Minister reiterated Norway’s strong support of the United Nations. “The UN and the Secretary-General can count on Norway’s continued support in making the organization a more efficient instrument in promoting peace and security, fighting climate change, poverty and to create a more just world order” said Prime Minister Stoltenberg.