Ghana’s former president appointed agent of Climate Change

Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary-General has selected Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, former Prime Minister of Norway and Ghana's former President, John Kufuor as Special agents on Climate Change.

The two representatives are to aid in the engagment of Heads of State and Government around the world in order to organise political will and action among other objectives to raise ambition ahead of the 2014 Climate Summit set to be held in New York on September 23 2015.

In a statement issued from the United Nations Headquarters in New York today, they will also assist the Secretary-General in his discussion with leaders to elevate the levels of ambition to address climate change and to increase action.

Businesses and civil society organizations gathered at the 68^th General Debate to bring bold announcements and actions to the 2014 Climate Summit to raise the level of ambition through new and more robust action on climate change. Other aims include enhancing action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilient communities.

The Secretary-General stated their delight in "working with these two highly respected international figures on a matter that is of the highest importance to the future of our planet".

The World Bank Group is also showing their support of the Special Envoys as part of stepped up efforts to help countries deliver climate action.

Ex-President Kufuor, received the World Food Prize in 2011 for his in leading Ghana to be the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger and the amount of people living on less than a dollar per day.

Stoltenberg, the Ex-Prime Minister has previously worked with the Secretary-General on climate change. Stoltenberg, lead a 21-member High Level Advisory Group on Climate Financing along with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.