President Lee Myung-bak said at the UN Summit on Climate Change on Sep. 22 (New York time) that less developed countries should try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions voluntarily and that advanced countries should encourage such efforts.

The President’s remarks were made at a morning roundtable session, over which he and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd jointly presided. At the roundtable, leaders of 26 countries including China, Iran, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were present.

Leaders from about 190 countries gathered in New York to attend the UN climate change conference, and a total of 8 roundtable discussions took place.

At the morning meeting, President Lee specifically suggested the establishment of "Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA)," which is aimed at developing countries' voluntary reduction of greenhouse gases.

According to President Lee, the NAMA registry system will help iron out the different opinions as to greenhouse gas emissions between developing and developed countries. Developed countries contend that all countries should follow legally-binding regulations for gas reduction while developing ones are opposed to such ideas.

The President also explained Korea's earnest efforts to fight against climate change and to pursue green growth. He drew positive responses when he recommended a global partnership, in which advanced and developing countries exchange environmentally-friendly technologies and related developmental plans.

Throughout the day-long conference, the world leaders shared ideas on how to make the December climate change meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark a success. The meeting aims to negotiate a treaty to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.