The informal thematic debate of the UN General Assembly, held from 31 July to 2 August 2007, examined "climate change as a global challenge". The debate covered its various aspects, including science, adaptation and mitigation. In her opening statement, the President of the General Assembly, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, said that the debate "is a testimony to the political and moral importance of addressing climate change". In his opening statement, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon remarked, "I am convinced that this challenge, and what we do about it, will define us, our era and, ultimately, our global legacy." It was time for new thinking and that everything needed to shoulder the responsibility, Mr. Ban said, urging all countries to do what they could to reach agreement by 2009, and to have it in force by the time the Kyoto Protocol commitment period expired in 2012.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joins the General Assembly informal thematic debate on climate change UN photo Eskinder Debebe

The first Panel discussion on 31 July focussed on "Climate Change: the Science, the Impact and the Adaptation Imperative". Adaptation is a necessary factor in creating successful policy measures to combat the effects of climate change. It is defined, according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as the "adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities". Various expert panelists examined this important issue during the debate.

Development and adaptation are strongly linked with one another and are necessary steps to addressing the issue of climate change. Both developed and developing countries utilize important adaptation measures in order to prepare for the harmful effects of this environmental problem. Community initiatives and advanced early warning systems are just two examples of effective adaptation techniques. Other important programmes include effective water management, soil conservation, strengthening of infrastructure and various methods of technology transfer. Adaptation involves factors of economic development, social consideration and environmental concerns.

Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), moderated the panel that included various experts in the fields of development and climate change. Throughout the discussion, emphasis was placed on synthesizing economic growth for developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs), while encouraging important actions to pursue adaptation. Panelists also examined the relationship between sustainable economic development and adaptation. LDCs and developing countries alike bear the harsh effects of climate change, despite being the lowest emitters of greenhouse gases. Due to this fact, adaptation is regarded as an important policy to ensure the protection of countries at risk. Panelists concurred that a multilateral solution is needed in order to fully take on the issue at hand. Through adaptation and mitigation, the inevitable effects of climate change can be reduced.

Women collecting fire-wood for cooking pause on the cracked bed of the Niger River UN photo Ian Steele

Small island developing States (SIDS) are already experiencing the effects of climate change in terms of extreme weather events and rising temperatures. Kenrick R. Leslie, Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center, expressed SIDS concerns, emphasizing that "adaptation is an imperative for the Caribbean". He also explained the adaptation steps already taken by the Caribbean Community in response to the harmful effects of climate change.
Investment in development and adaptation efforts also figured prominently during the panel discussion. Sunita Narain, Director of the Centre for Science and Environment, based in India, urged policymakers to invest in adaptation, saying that "cooperation is not possible without equity and fairness. It is a pre-requisite for an effective climate agreement". Adaptation measures are not merely an issue for developing countries, but also a serious concern for developed countries as well. Multilateral efforts involving both the public and private sectors are important factors in driving efforts for adaptation.

Sir Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics at Oxford University and author of the Stern Review, discussed various aspects of climate change and cited a three-step plan for adaptation, based on the Review, which focused on information, resources and the challenge of technology. He suggested investing in scientific research on climate, using adaptation resources in developed and developing countries, and improving infrastructure and agriculture to successfully adapt to climate change. Despite the fact that LDCs will most likely be the hardest-hit countries, Sir Nicholas acknowledged the need for adaptation by developed countries.

The damaging effects of climate change require countries to take responsibility and institute policies for adaptation. John Holdren, Teresa and John Heinz Professor of Environmental Policy at Harvard University, noted that adaptation is necessary "to manage the unavoidable degree of climate change". Early action and investment are important to the successful implementation of adaptation strategies. Hervé le Treut, a senior researcher at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France, during his presentation observed that "a constant interplay between scientific measurements and decision-making is necessary to define and revise continuously an adaptation strategy to climate change".

A former Judge on the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Neroni Slade of Samoa, acting as a respondent for the panel, focussed on the issues facing developing countries and SIDS, especially in terms of implementing adaptation measures. "I would agree that adaptation action should be integrated into development policy and planning at every level", he said. Adaptation and sustainable development are both essential measures to lessen the harmful effects of climate change.

Adaptation initiatives are an essential aspect of climate change policy, especially for developing countries, and are necessary to ameliorate the harsh effects of climate change. Both Assembly President Sheikha Haya and Secretary-General Ban have placed the issue on the global agenda, resulting in Member States involving themselves in a multilateral effort that includes both the public and private sectors. Mr. Ban stated that "within the UN system, I am determined that all parts contribute to this monumental effort and support action by Member States, especially those that are most vulnerable".