UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday said he welcomed Australia's re-commitment to the Kyoto protocol and emphasized the importance of addressing climate change issues.

Ban "welcomes the readiness of the Australian government to join a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and congratulates Prime Minister (Julia) Gillard for her leadership," said a statement issued here by his spokesperson.

"Addressing climate change is fundamental for achieving sustainable development," Ban said. "Urgent action is needed."

"The secretary-general calls on all governments to take decisive steps against climate change at the upcoming Climate Change Conference, in Doha, Qatar," said the statement.

Key greenhouse gas emitter Australia on Friday said it will sign up for a second round of the Kyoto Protocol environmental protection treaty.

The first commitment of the protocol is due to expire this year, and the second commitment, to be signed in a climate change conference later this month in Qatar, would extend the treaty to 2020.

First ratified in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol sets binding targets for industrialized nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Australia signed up to the treaty in 2007

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