Climate Change Takes Center Stage

During the last week of September, three high-profile global meetings addressed the challenge of climate change. On Monday, September 24, the United Nations convened a unique High-Level Session of the General Assembly, at which dozens of heads of states addressed this topic. Starting Wednesday, September 26, the Clinton Global Initiative brought governments, business, NGOs and media together to catalyze concrete action to address climate change. Starting Thursday, September 27, the Bush administration hosted representatives of leaders from 15 major economies for an unprecedented meeting on this topic.

To preview these events and assess their significance, Brookings hosted a forum on Friday September 21. Speakers included Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; Dr. Harlan L. Watson, senior climate negotiator and special representative for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; and David Sandalow, Brookings senior fellow and chair of the Energy & Climate Working Group at the Clinton Global Initiative. Brookings President Strobe Talbott provided introductory remarks. Carlos Pascual, vice president and director of Foreign Policy Studies, moderated the panel. After the program, panelists took audience questions.