WORLD LEADERS URGED TO ATTEND UN CLIMATE SUMMIT

DUBAI, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has
urged all heads of state and government to attend the closing days of the UN
climate change conference in Copenhagen next month.

Set to begin on Dec 7, the conference aims to reach accord on a successor to
the Kyoto Protocol of 1997.

It will culminate in a summit-level gathering on Dec 17 and 18.

In a statement, a UN spokesperson said Ban felt that direct head of state
and government involvement was essential for governments to reach agreement on
the core issues at the heart of a global climate change deal.

"The secretary-general believes it's essential to maintain political
momentum at the highest level and from all sectors of society," the statement
read.

It said Ban was optimistic that an ambitious, fair and effective climate
deal could be reached in Copenhagen.

-- BERNAMA