[Text of the Kyoto Protocol at UN]
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan hailed on Thursday the approval of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on reducing greenhouse gases by the Russian government.
The Russian cabinet approved a draft law for ratification of the pact earlier in the day and sent it to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, for endorsement.
"He welcomes this step, since the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, made possible by Russia's ratification, will be the essential first step in tackling the planetary challenge posed by climate changes," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said in a statement.
"He takes this occasion to remind the entire international community of the need to bring a greater sense of urgency to this crucial issue of human security and well-being," said the statement.
The protocol, which aims to stabilize emissions of greenhouse gases, will come into effect worldwide 90 days after Moscow's ratification process ends.
Russia, which accounts for 17 percent of the world's emissions, is key to the entry into force of the pact after the world's No.1 greenhouse gases producer, the United States, withdrew in 2001.
source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-10/01/content_2043762.htm 6oct04
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