United Nations Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon addresses a media conference at the UN Climate Change conference (COP17) in Durban, December 6, 2011. The city is hosting the conference which runs until December 9. [Photo/Agencies]

DURBAN, South Africa - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged world leaders to commit to the second period of Kyoto protocol in Durban.

"My massage is clear. We must not leave a vacuum between the first and second commitment. This is a legal mechanism. Therefore we have to find for the Kyoto protocol's future," Ban told journalists at a press briefing.

Pointing out the drought and situation in Somalia, Ban said that climate change was already causing huge havoc in the world, especially small island nations and poor nations in Africa.

"The poor are affected first and most. That is why we need to show solidarity. We have no time to loose, we need progress in the climate negotiations. This is what I told world leaders," the UN chief said.

The COP 17 began its high level talks here on Tuesday, as efforts to bridge differences on major issues bogged down.

"We need to advance. We need to make progress on the ground as we need to keep the momentum on the negotiations. I have just called upon all parties to implement what has been agreed in the Cancun last year. And make progress on the future of Kyoto protocol," said Ban.

He said while leaders are concerned about financial matters and internal politics, they must remember that the people of the world cannot accept no as an answer.

"They have to look beyond their national borders. Climate change is a global challenge deserving global solution, deserving global solidarity," Ban added.