"We have to get a hold of climate change, lower our carbon emissions, stop our destruction of the seas and learn to live in a sustainable fashion with and from the resources at our disposal," said Behnam.
Behnam, who as commissioner-general of the UN Pavilion placed a statue of a polar bear outside its gates to press home the importance of conserving the environment, said China was leading the charge to build a greener economy.
"I believe there's a commitment from China (to new energy) that's remarkable. It's doing a lot more than other nations in this field," he said.
Last year China emerged as the world's biggest spender on new energy, a trend that looks set to continue this year as policymakers map out electric bus networks in Shanghai, and use the Expo as a test ground for the commercialization of vehicles powered by fuel cell.
Such moves are welcomed by the 44 UN agencies operating for the first time under one roof at a World Expo in Shanghai. Some 35 percent of them address problems related to climate change.
The UN Pavilion welcomed its 1.5 millionth visitor last week.
(Source: China Daily)
Special Report: World Expo 2010
