UN General Assembly
2009

this vital problem treated in a convincing, urgent and genuine manner. The head of State of one of the heavy- emitting countries declared that if we do not act now, no one will ever be able to do so, reinforcing what scientists have been demonstrating for some time: that our planet is at serious risk of not being able to assure life in all its fullness because of the consequences of climate change. And the time to act is now. The participants departed the Summit convinced that there is no more time for evasion. The moment has come for concerted, coherent and systematic action to achieve a convincing and meaningful reduction of greenhouse gases, to slow global warming and avoid raised sea levels likely to endanger vast coastal regions throughout the world, particularly the small developing island States. Such States are increasingly vulnerable and suffer the most from the consequences of a situation created to a large extent by emitter States. At its summit here in New York on 21 September, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), of which