PARIS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Representatives attending the environmental conference held in Paris on Saturday called for a stronger and more genuine international environmental organization to better deal with the climate challenges.

    "We hope to establish a new world environmental organization which goes along the lines with the World Health Organization. It should be more powerful and recognized by the whole world," said the "Paris Appeal" released by the "Citizen of the Earth" summit.

    The full-fledged UN environmental agency will be an instrument for promoting new technologies to protect eco-systems and supporting the implementation of world environmental policies, said the appeal.

    Addressing the conference, French President Jacques Chirac also called for a new world environmental body to replace the existing UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in order to strengthen the international control over the environment.

    His proposal received support from more than 40 countries.

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the conference that dealing with climate challenges had been on the top of his agenda.

    "Environmental problem is a global issue. It has threatened our efforts in maintaining world peace and security. Only coordinated international actions could tackle the problem," he said.

    Nearly 200 government officials, environmental campaigners and business leaders attended the "Citizen of the Earth" summit held from Feb. 2 to Feb. 3 in Paris.