The UN climate agency is calling for a special summit to address climate change, but is considering high-level ministerial talks if world leaders are not on board. Yvo de Boer, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat, stated that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has agreed to send envoys to assess government interest in a high-level meeting regarding global warming. De Boer mentioned that Ban's envoys will look into the possibility of a high-level meeting, potentially during the UN General Assembly in New York in September. De Boer clarified that the meeting does not necessarily have to involve heads of state. "It may involve a different set of people, like foreign affairs or energy ministers." Ban stated on March 1 that global warming is as big of a threat as war and encouraged the United States to take the lead in addressing climate change. However, Ban's spokesperson mentioned that there were no immediate plans to organize a summit, despite requests from UN environmental agencies. De Boer clarified, "I don't believe there has been a change in perspective. What is being considered is a high-level gathering to involve a wider range of individuals - including those in foreign affairs, energy, trade, economy, and transportation." He stated that there is a need for a more extensive effort and broader support, regardless of whether leaders come together. Discussions on a global scale to combat the effects of climate change, primarily attributed to the burning of fossil fuels, have come to a standstill. Recent UN scientific reports have indicated that human activities are highly likely to be the cause of global warming, leading to potential consequences such as increased hunger, droughts, floods, heatwaves, glacier melting, and rising sea levels. De Boer emphasizes the urgency of accelerating negotiations to expand the UN Kyoto Protocol, which currently mandates emissions reductions for 35 industrialized countries until 2012. The United States and Australia withdrew from the agreement in 2001, citing concerns about the economic burden imposed by the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto nations account for only around one-third of global carbon dioxide emissions, with Russia being the only one of the top four emitters - the United States, China, Russia, and India - bound by Kyoto targets. De Boer suggested that a new meeting could complement, rather than repeat, the Group of Eight summit in June, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel aims to address climate change. The G8 summit will include leaders from China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, who, along with the G8 countries, are responsible for the majority of global carbon dioxide emissions. De Boer mentioned that the G8 summit does not include certain groups like small island states, which are in danger due to rising sea levels, the poorest nations in sub-Saharan Africa, and Australia. The next round of formal UN climate negotiations will take place in Bali, Indonesia in December, where environment ministers will meet.