UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the world to come together and agree on a new climate treaty by 2009. He stated that specifics on greenhouse gas reductions can be discussed after the UN talks in Bali. Ban highlighted the importance of reaching an agreement to start negotiations on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol during the meeting from Dec. 3-14. He emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts on the environment, urging immediate action to prevent further damage. Ban urged ministers to act swiftly and overcome disagreements on the terms for initiating formal negotiations on a new global treaty to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The United States is among those opposing the inclusion of scientific evidence recommending significant reductions in greenhouse gases by 2020. Ban stated that negotiations will need to take place in the future, as echoed by Washington, with two years remaining before an international agreement can be reached. He emphasized the importance of countries honoring the U.N. climate panel's recommendation of a 25-40 percent reduction to prevent the severe effects of climate change. Ban called for an agenda and timeline to be set for a new climate deal by 2009, with the United Nations aiming to adopt a new pact at a meeting in Copenhagen in late 2009. The United States, with support from Japan, Canada, and Australia, believes that even a non-binding mention of a 25-to-40 percent range could influence the outcome of negotiations. US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky, stated, "We don't want to be pre-determining what will come out of this process." However, the European Union argued that wealthy nations must demonstrate leadership by example to persuade developing countries like China and India to reduce their emissions from burning fossil fuels. German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel emphasized the importance of knowing the starting point and destination when aiming for significant progress, stating, "If you want to go a long way you need to know the starting point and where you want to go." Ban urged all countries, including the United States, to be more adaptable and open-minded. He also mentioned that global warming, despite its threats, could have positive outcomes by sparking innovative solutions that could generate employment opportunities and alleviate poverty in developing countries across Africa and Asia. Recently, Australia's new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally endorsed the Kyoto Protocol, highlighting the United States as the only wealthy nation not committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the U.N. agreement until 2012. Rudd, whose Labor Party secured a significant election win last month, expressed concerns about Australia's current climate challenges, such as declining river levels and damage to the Great Barrier Reef. He warned that these issues were just a preview of what could happen in the future. The negotiations are expected to conclude by Friday or early Saturday, and traditionally, the annual U.N. climate meetings involve intense bargaining and overnight sessions. The United Nations aims to reach a deal by the end of 2009 to allow parliaments three years to ratify and guide investments in various energy sources. It took eight years for enough countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which came into force in 2005 after Washington's refusal to sign up in 2001 delayed the process. Failure to agree on starting talks in Bali would jeopardize the chances of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. Apart from Australia, 36 Kyoto nations have committed to reducing emissions by an average of 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. The United States is contending that the Kyoto Protocol would have a negative impact on its economy and is unfair in its exclusion of targets for major developing countries for the years 2008-2012.