UNITED NATIONS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Tuesday the appointment of three special envoys on climate change, in a move that the UN said shows his commitment to what he calls "a major global challenge."

    The special envoys are Norwegian ex-Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar, former South Korean Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo, who was also the president of the 56th session of the UN General Assembly.

    A statement issued by Ban's spokesperson Michele Montas said that the three envoys named are also prominent in international environmental affairs.

    Brundtland is the former chair of the World Commission of Environment and Development, which is best known for developing the broad political concept of sustainable development and two decades ago published a landmark report, "Our Common Future."

    The Chilean president founded the Foundation for Democracy and Development, which works for sustainable development. Since April 2006, he has been serving as president of the Club de Madrid where he led the organization to increase its involvement in environmental issues.

    Han Seung-soo currently heads the Korea Water Forum, which works towards sustainable water management in Asia.

    "The secretary-general looks forward to working with these three highly respected international figures on a matter which is of highest importance to the future of the planet," Montas said.

    "The secretary-general has repeatedly stated that climate change is a major global challenge and he intends to take a leadership role in helping the international community address the problem," she said.

    She also noted that many initiatives are being launched by member states, groups of states, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to try to mitigate climate change and its impact.

    "Very commendable as they are, these actions can only complement and not substitute for the comprehensive international response that is needed," she said.

    The special envoys will solicit the views of national leaders, including those who are key actors in the climate change negotiations.

    "The work of the special envoys will assist the secretary-general in his consultations with governments and other key stakeholders on how he might facilitate progress in the multilateral climate change negotiations within the UN," the spokesperson said.