UN General Assembly
2007

them should take the lead. But the countries that are now enjoying rapid economic growth are also being asked to develop more sustainably. The future lies with those countries that excel in energy conservation and the use of cleaner technologies. We are not yet making sufficient use of the scope that innovation offers us. The Netherlands wants to be a front-runner, not only in our ambition to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also in developing new strategies to deal with the negative effects of climate change. It is important to take climate and nature into account in all our investments. The most vulnerable developing countries deserve more support in tackling the problems they face. In December, at the Bali Climate Change Conference, the United Nations has a unique opportunity to take charge of the situation and create a united global framework for addressing the climate problem. European government leaders would like to see negotiations start in Bali on a follow-up to Kyoto. The Netherlands and its European partners will do all they can to accomplish that.