Germany, as the President of the European Union and Group of Eight, called on world leaders to come together to address global warming, which was described as one of the most significant threats facing the world. Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized the urgency of taking action on climate change during a security conference in Munich, stressing that it is a threat that affects everyone and requires coordinated efforts from all nations. In attendance were Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and US Senator for Arizona John McCain. The United States, Russia, and China have been hesitant to participate in international efforts to address climate change. However, Merkel has made combating global warming a key focus of Germany's leadership in the EU and G8. She aims to urge countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy, and transition to renewable fuels. Additionally, she has discussed advancing a framework agreement to reduce greenhouse gases post-2020 when the Kyoto Protocol expires. Germany's coalition between the left and right wings is internally divided on a number of energy policies, and the government has opposed certain European Union efforts to reduce emissions.