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Climate change one of 'major challenges'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-25 11:23

UNITED NATIONS - Climate change is one of the "major challenges facing humanity today," Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said here Friday.

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"The devastating impact of natural disasters around the world has affected most of our countries," Pohamba said here at the general debate of the 65th session of the UN General Assembly, which opened on Thursday.

"Although Namibia does not significantly contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases, it is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change," he said.

Namibia has experienced increasingly severe floods and droughts that destroyed crops, livestock herds and wild animals, Pohamba said.

"Thus, we call upon industrialized countries to take practical steps and demonstrate greater political will to bring about drastic reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases," he said.

He also called on industrialized countries to support efforts of developing countries to mitigate and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

"It is our hope that industrialized countries will meet their commitments to provide adequate resources in line with the undertakings made at Copenhagen in 2009," Pohamba said.