ID :
81375
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 07:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/81375
The shortlink copeid
Lee proposes unified system on global water management
(ATTN: This story cannot be moved or printed before 1 a.m. Thursday KST)
By Byun Duk-kun
NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called
Wednesday on the international community to establish a unified water governance
system to more effectively address global water-related issues such as drought,
inundation and rising sea levels.
In his speech at the U.N. General Assembly here, Lee proposed a specialized and
unified water management cooperation initiative to establish a more effective
system of international cooperation on water.
He urged world leaders take a special interest in water, which is already taking
a more serious and immediate effect on people, calling water issues potentially
more threatening than global warming.
The call came in addition to months of efforts by Lee to take leadership in
tackling climate change.
"Today, close to half of the world's population suffers from water shortages, and
most climate change-related natural disasters, including inundation, drought and
sea-level rises, are water-related disasters," Lee said.
Lee noted the urgency of the issue also comes from the fact that unlike fossil
fuels, water cannot be replaced.
"The provision of fresh water and the development of policies and infrastructure
for inundation and disaster prevention are the most pressing issues at hand," he
added.
The South Korean head of state also continued his call for immediate action on
climate change, saying the issue has become an "indispensable and urgent agenda
for all of humanity."
Lee's call for action was backed by a pledge to do what he can to address the
global issues and also help others do the same.
Seoul will announce its target for greenhouse gas emission cuts before the end of
the year, though its status as an emerging economy under the U.N. framework
convention on climate change does not require it to do so, Lee said.
The South Korean president earlier proposed the creation of a registry at the
U.N. where all developing countries would file their voluntary mitigation targets
and report their progress.
In tackling the more pressing issue of water shortages and other water-related
issues, the South Korean president proposed launching a new global initiative
that would join and direct existing efforts by some 20 U.N. agencies into one
large single entity.
"The time has come for the international community to establish a governance
system that effectively addresses water-related issues," Lee said, noting such an
initiative would also allow the transfer of Seoul's cutting-edge water conversion
technology to countries facing the most pressing issue of water shortage.
Wednesday's U.N. speech marked Lee's first participation in the U.N. General
Assembly since his inauguration early last year.
The South Korean president emphasized his country's efforts to become a "global"
nation that gives as much as it can or more to the rest of the world.
"Korea will fulfill its promise to triple official development assistance (ODA)
by 2015," he said. "Through participation in peacekeeping operations, among
others, Korea is also actively engaging in promoting international peace and
security and preventing terrorism."
Over 3,000 South Korean volunteers are currently serving in some 40 countries
across the world under a program called "World Friends Korea," he noted. The
program is the second-largest of its kind in the world, following the United
States' 8,000-strong Peace Corps.
Turning to security issues, the president noted North Korea's continued nuclear
ambitions pose serious threats not only for the security of Korean Peninsula, but
also for the rest of the world.
"The Republic of Korea will take an active part in concerted international
efforts to dismantle the nuclear program of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (DPRK)," Lee said, referring to South and North Korea by their official
names.
"We urge the DPRK to respond to the international community's efforts and return
to the six-party talks without any condition and without further delay," he
added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Byun Duk-kun
NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called
Wednesday on the international community to establish a unified water governance
system to more effectively address global water-related issues such as drought,
inundation and rising sea levels.
In his speech at the U.N. General Assembly here, Lee proposed a specialized and
unified water management cooperation initiative to establish a more effective
system of international cooperation on water.
He urged world leaders take a special interest in water, which is already taking
a more serious and immediate effect on people, calling water issues potentially
more threatening than global warming.
The call came in addition to months of efforts by Lee to take leadership in
tackling climate change.
"Today, close to half of the world's population suffers from water shortages, and
most climate change-related natural disasters, including inundation, drought and
sea-level rises, are water-related disasters," Lee said.
Lee noted the urgency of the issue also comes from the fact that unlike fossil
fuels, water cannot be replaced.
"The provision of fresh water and the development of policies and infrastructure
for inundation and disaster prevention are the most pressing issues at hand," he
added.
The South Korean head of state also continued his call for immediate action on
climate change, saying the issue has become an "indispensable and urgent agenda
for all of humanity."
Lee's call for action was backed by a pledge to do what he can to address the
global issues and also help others do the same.
Seoul will announce its target for greenhouse gas emission cuts before the end of
the year, though its status as an emerging economy under the U.N. framework
convention on climate change does not require it to do so, Lee said.
The South Korean president earlier proposed the creation of a registry at the
U.N. where all developing countries would file their voluntary mitigation targets
and report their progress.
In tackling the more pressing issue of water shortages and other water-related
issues, the South Korean president proposed launching a new global initiative
that would join and direct existing efforts by some 20 U.N. agencies into one
large single entity.
"The time has come for the international community to establish a governance
system that effectively addresses water-related issues," Lee said, noting such an
initiative would also allow the transfer of Seoul's cutting-edge water conversion
technology to countries facing the most pressing issue of water shortage.
Wednesday's U.N. speech marked Lee's first participation in the U.N. General
Assembly since his inauguration early last year.
The South Korean president emphasized his country's efforts to become a "global"
nation that gives as much as it can or more to the rest of the world.
"Korea will fulfill its promise to triple official development assistance (ODA)
by 2015," he said. "Through participation in peacekeeping operations, among
others, Korea is also actively engaging in promoting international peace and
security and preventing terrorism."
Over 3,000 South Korean volunteers are currently serving in some 40 countries
across the world under a program called "World Friends Korea," he noted. The
program is the second-largest of its kind in the world, following the United
States' 8,000-strong Peace Corps.
Turning to security issues, the president noted North Korea's continued nuclear
ambitions pose serious threats not only for the security of Korean Peninsula, but
also for the rest of the world.
"The Republic of Korea will take an active part in concerted international
efforts to dismantle the nuclear program of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (DPRK)," Lee said, referring to South and North Korea by their official
names.
"We urge the DPRK to respond to the international community's efforts and return
to the six-party talks without any condition and without further delay," he
added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
