The United Nations chief was speaking at a Commonwealth meeting on climate change; the first time he has attended a Commonwealth summit.
The Secretary-General said he believed an agreement was in sight and said every country had an important role to play in combating climate change. Some 85 leaders have now pledged to attend the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen next month from December 7th to 18th.
President Sarkozy of France and Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen of Denmark both spoke with Commonwealth leaders. Mr Rasmussen said the Commonwealth summit was a 'unique opportunity to discuss the truly global nature of climate change'.
'I know that for many of you climate change represents an immediate existential threat. You cannot afford the luxury of failure in Copenhagen,' he told leaders at the summit.
Mr Ban told leaders at the summit in Trinidad and Tobago: 'Our common goal is to achieve a firm foundation for a legally binding climate treaty as early as possible in 2010.
'I am confident that we are on track to do this.
'My message to you today is simple: stay focused stay committed come to Copenhagen - and seal a deal.
'A deal that is ambitious, a deal that is equitable, a deal that satisfies the demands of science.
'We cannot afford to fail. The costs are simply too great.'
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has proposed a 'Copenhagen Launch Fund' to help poorer countries tackle climate change immediately, as part of a global climate agreement to be reached in Copenhagen. Gordon Brown said he was optimistic developed countries would support the $10 billion measure.
'I think it is very important that the deadlock is broken. That means that the poorer countries must have an understanding that the richer countries will help them adapt to climate change and make the necessary adjustments in their economies,' he said.
According to the PM, the UK government would contribute £800 million in total over three years, which has already been budgeted for.
The Secretary-General said he believed an agreement was in sight and said every country had an important role to play in combating climate change. Some 85 leaders have now pledged to attend the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen next month from December 7th to 18th.
President Sarkozy of France and Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen of Denmark both spoke with Commonwealth leaders. Mr Rasmussen said the Commonwealth summit was a 'unique opportunity to discuss the truly global nature of climate change'.
'I know that for many of you climate change represents an immediate existential threat. You cannot afford the luxury of failure in Copenhagen,' he told leaders at the summit.
Mr Ban told leaders at the summit in Trinidad and Tobago: 'Our common goal is to achieve a firm foundation for a legally binding climate treaty as early as possible in 2010.
'I am confident that we are on track to do this.
'My message to you today is simple: stay focused stay committed come to Copenhagen - and seal a deal.
'A deal that is ambitious, a deal that is equitable, a deal that satisfies the demands of science.
'We cannot afford to fail. The costs are simply too great.'
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has proposed a 'Copenhagen Launch Fund' to help poorer countries tackle climate change immediately, as part of a global climate agreement to be reached in Copenhagen. Gordon Brown said he was optimistic developed countries would support the $10 billion measure.
'I think it is very important that the deadlock is broken. That means that the poorer countries must have an understanding that the richer countries will help them adapt to climate change and make the necessary adjustments in their economies,' he said.
According to the PM, the UK government would contribute £800 million in total over three years, which has already been budgeted for.
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