Briefings by Norwegian and international climate experts were on the agenda when UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon next week visits the Svalbard archipelago off northern Norway, dpa cited a Norwegian cabinet member as saying today. The visit to Spitsbergen will offer an opportunity for Ban to see the effects of global warming in the Arctic region, ahead of upcoming UN climate meetings in New York in September and in Copenhagen in December. "He will use this (experience) when he tries to convince global leaders how serious the climate situation is," Environment and International Development Minister Erik Solheim told the Norwegian news agency NTB in the northern city of Tromso. Ban was Monday to meet with Norway's prime minister and foreign minister as well as King Harald before travelling the folowing day to the Arctic region.
