UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said here Tuesday that he has received positive responses from world leaders to the climate change summit scheduled for Sept. 23 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

"I'm receiving many positive responses and support from world leaders" to the September summit, Ban told a small group of UN- based correspondents, voicing hope that the world leaders will demonstrate their political commitment to the ambition on climate change.

As part of a global effort to mobilize global action on climate change, the secretary-general is inviting heads of state and government along with business, finance, civil society and local leaders to the climate change summit in September.

"The climate summit meeting, which I am going to convene on Sept. 23, will be a big moment," said the UN chief, who has listed climate change as one of his priorities since he took office in January 2007.

The summit, scheduled to begin one day before the UN General Assembly starts its annual high-level debate, will focus on solutions that demonstrate how early action can result in substantial economic benefits, UN officials said.

"Almost everywhere I travel, I see the impacts of climate change and I will continue to use my official visits this year to highlight the urgent need to act," he said.

Ban has used his presence at the opening of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, last week to garner extensive support for the September summit when he was meeting with world leaders.

"But we need to remember that climate change is also an opportunity," he said. "In May, the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold in Abu Dhabi a major meeting that will highlight the benefits of making a transition to a low carbon economy."

The Gulf country will host a two-day, high-level meeting that kicks off on May 4, to build momentum for concrete actions to be taken at the September summit.

The special meeting will be called the "Abu Dhabi Ascent" after its host city. It will bring ministers as well as business, finance, and civil society leaders together to develop a range of proposals for action and determine how their countries, businesses and organizations may become more involved in various initiatives so that partnerships can be broadened and deepened to deliver concrete action at the summit, UN officials said.

The September summit will come one year before countries aim to conclude a global climate agreement in 2015 through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Although the 2014 climate change summit is not part of the negotiating process, countries have recognized its value.



The 2015 UN climate change meeting is to take place in Paris, France.



"The September summit meeting will be almost the last time for the world leaders to meet before their meeting in Paris," Ban said.