Briefing member States, Ban said the objective of the Summit is to create a broader political vision of the urgency for action, and to mobilize the political will needed to reach an agreed outcome at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December.
A clear airing of views on fundamental climate change issues can provide government negotiators with the political signals and guidance needed to move the negotiations forward.
"But this will not be a negotiation," the Secretary General said.
He said the points of convergence achieved will be captured in a Chair's Summary which will be the main outcome of the Summit. Much of the time will be devoted to interactive roundtables where leaders can have focused discussions.
Ban noted that the United Nations is working on a background paper that will help to focus the discussions during the roundtables.
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