United Nations secretary General Ban Ki-moon has termed the historic climate change agreement reached in Paris as a “monumental triumph” for planet Earth that will set the stage for achieving an end to poverty and development for all.
Taking the COP21 stage just minutes after the adoption of the agreement, the UN Secretary General said, in the face of an unprecedented challenge, all countries have demonstrated unprecedented leadership.
He added that the world has worked collaboratively to achieve something that no one nation could achieve alone. This is a resounding success for multilateralism, he said. In a landmark deal, 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change pledged to curb emissions, strengthen resilience and take common climate action.Ban said in a tweet, immediately following the adoption of the new Paris Agreement that it is a monumental triumph for people and our planet, setting the stage for progress in ending poverty, strengthening peace and ensuring a life of dignity and opportunity for all. Turning to the agreement itself, the Secretary-General said negotiators reached “solid results on all key points,” with an agreement that demonstrates solidarity and “is ambitious, flexible, credible and durable.”
In addition, a review mechanism has been established whereby every five years, beginning in 2018, Parties will regularly review what is needed in line with science. Several other top UN officials joined the Secretary- General in welcoming the new Agreement, including President of the UN General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft.
Welcoming the deal, Environment Minister Javadekar said, Today is a historic day. What we have adopted is not only an agreement but we have written a chapter of hope in the lives of 7 billion people.
Environment groups said that the Paris agreement is a turning point in history and spelt the demise of the fossil fuel industry, pointing particularly to the significance of the 1.5 degree Celsius goal.
US President Barack Obama called the accord huge and touted US leadership in reaching the agreement. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde hailed the accord a critical step forward for addressing global climate change in the 21st century. In a statement, Lagarde said her key message is to price carbon right.