(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-14 14:26

UNITED NATIONS -- Delegates at a UN high-level debate on climate change Wednesday urged developed countries to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the major contributor to global warming.

The thematic debate, which started Monday and was originally planned for two days, dragged on into a third day because of the vast number of intended speakers from more than 100 countries and international organizations.

Addressing the event, Iran's UN Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee said that developed countries are historically responsible for the release of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Therefore, the developed countries must take the lead and make significant contributions in achieving the present and future global policies on mitigation and adaptation," said Khazaee, adding that it was important to adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Khazaee's view was shared by his Singaporean counterpart, Vanu Gopala Menon, who said "the reality is that developed countries are responsible for the bulk of current and historical greenhouse gas emissions."

"So clearly, they have an obligation to take the lead in reducing emissions," Menon said. "They also have to help developing countries address the problem through technology transfer or financial incentives."

Nirupam Sen, India's UN ambassador, urged the United Nations to focus on how developed countries could sharply reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, rather than identifying mitigation strategies for developing countries.

Sen reaffirmed the Indian government's commitment to keeping greenhouse gas emissions at a per capita level below that of developed countries and to continue, overall, on the path of environmentally sound sustainable development.

In his closing remarks, General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim urged rich nations to "demonstrate their willingness" to provide fresh financing to developing nations.

Kerim also called for enhancing the "critical role of international financial institutions and private sector" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"This is the key," Kerim said. "Because the importance of accelerating technology transfers to developing countries and securing sufficient financing for adaptation and mitigation cannot be underestimated.

"In this regard, the General Assembly has sent a clear signal to the World Bank and the donor community to scale up investment in developing countries to support national and international efforts to address climate change," he added.

The high-level session, titled "Addressing climate change, the United Nations and the world at work," was meant to build on the momentum generated by the international climate conference in December on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, where delegates from nearly 190 nations agreed to adopt a blueprint to control global warming gases before the end of next year.