United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon sees 2009 as "the year of climate change" as he reviewed the world body's "mixed" record handling crises in Darfur, Kosovo and Zimbabwe.

The secretary general said climate change, one of his priorities since he assumed his post two years ago, would be a key challenge for the world next year.

"I am pleased with our success in keeping climate change high on the global agenda.  2009 will be the year of climate change.  We have no time to waste. We must reach a global climate change deal before the end of the year (2009) - one that is balanced, comprehensive and ratifiable by all nations," said Ban.

"Success will require extraordinary leadership," he added.

He cited the European Union’s historic agreement that has pushed climate change at the top of the world’s arena and said he is hopeful the Obama administration will contribute to the policy-changes needed to promote green initiatives.

Ban described 2008 as "the year of multiple crises" in which the UN record has been "mixed" and said the coming year "promises to be no less difficult."

The UN Chief also warned that while the food crisis no longer dominates news headlines, "it has not gone away."

He underscored that human rights, in the year of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are our shared responsibility and we must deliver. “In 2008, our record has been mixed in the face of economic recession. Climate change must be high on the global agenda. But the real test is to increase political will and policy priorities among leaders in order to resolve many of these global challenge issues-poverty alleviation included."  THE END.