This is an example of how seriously and negatively global warming affects and impacts our environment and our lives. I was sad to see that Lake Chad , which was once so vast, measuring 25,000 square kilometers some 40 years ago, has shrunken to [about 2,500] square kilometers. This is again a vivid example and illustration of how the mismanagement of the ecosystem and the movement of mass population can affect our livelihoods.

The United Nations, led by the World Bank and the UNDP, are working on a pilot project to see how we can prevent the shrinking of this lake and how we can prevent the desertification. This is a serious problem. The whole international community must collectively address this issue.

This visit has been a good experience for me. It comes just before I am going to convene a high-level General Assembly meeting to address climate change issues. I would like to discuss this with countries concerned. We must all work together collectively.