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Tennis champion and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Maria Sharapova invites the world to 'Seal the Deal' in Copenhagen

Geneva: 09 October 2009 -- UNDP has launched a new campaign featuring Tennis Superstar Maria Sharapova in her capacity as Goodwill Ambassador. In the new public advertisement, shown at right, Sharapova promotes the UN "Seal the Deal" climate change campaign.

“I understand what it’s like when problems with the environment force you from your home," said Sharapova. "My family left Belarus because of the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. Climate change impacts us all, everywhere. It is pushing millions of people around the world out of their homes because of droughts, floods, devastating natural disasters, losses in fertile lands and forests.

"But the poorest are most vulnerable and failure to act will deprive 2.6 billion people of hope and opportunity. By cutting our carbon emissions and investing in a green economy now, we can give the world's poor a true opportunity to weather the coming storm and build a stronger future. Let the Copenhagen Conference be the turning point to usher in a global green economy. Urge world leaders to seal the deal this December.

"You can make a difference," she said, pausing for a moment before adding emphatically: "Get involved."

• The UNDP Seal the Deal website is available at www.undp.org/sealthedeal
  
• Anyone interested in publishing or distributing the advertisement (without charge) can contact Ms. Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal, e-mail: aziyade.poltier@undp.org; tel: + 41 22 917 83 68.