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U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged the international community to deal swiftly with global warming, following a warning by the world's leading climatologists of impending catastrophe caused by the climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a body of 2,500 climate experts convened by the U.N., said in a report that human activities such as producing gas emissions are increasing the temperature of the globe and jeopardizing many species.

"The report highlights the scientific consensus regarding the quickening and threatening pace of human-induced climate change," Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

He emphasized that the world should respond to the phenomenon decisively.

Later in the day, the new U.N. chief and his wife attended a concert organized by a group of U.N. staff members.

Named "The Message of Peace," the concert's purpose was to welcome Ban, who took his post last month, as well bolster the other U.N. workers devoting themselves to world peace and development, organizers said.

New York, Feb. 2 (Yonhap News)