Merkel: Climate, Energy Are Priorities

By The Associated Pres

Published: January 24, 2007

This article is about German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the speech she gave at beginning of this year’s annual World Economic Forum on Wednesday. During her speech she highlighted the need for the “world to exploit the positive aspects of globalization” She told participants that battling global warming and securing energy supplies had to be among the world’s top priorities. Merkel also stressed that she is in strong favor of continued economic development, but she cautioned that just maintaining status quo business practices may be a detriment the world's poor and unstable nations in the era of globalization.

As the current head of the European Union's revolving presidency and of the G-8 group of industrial nations, Angela Merkel, is in a strong position to have serious impact on the global situation.

''I know that responsibility grows with economic success,'' Merkel said. Such responsibility carries with it the need ''to allow other regions to share in peace and prosperity and to keep our planet livable for coming generations,'' she said.

The speech she gave reflected the main focus of the meeting, which is the world's economic and political ''Shifting Power Equation'' as several new nations and regions have begun to pose a challenge traditional Western supremacy.

''Globalization is a world that frightens many people,'' Merkel expressed. ''I, however, am convinced: ... globalization offers the world of today many more chances than risks.''

This article is very important because it shows that the world’s most powerful nations are beginning to recognize the threats to their power they face from the rising star nations of globalization.