Secretary-General Says United States-China Agreement on Climate Change Bolsters Prospects for Adoption of Comprehensive Universal Accord

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General commends the joint announcement made today by the Governments of China and the United States on the significant steps each country is aiming to take to address climate change.  This announcement bolsters prospects for a universal, meaningful agreement in Paris this year.  It further signals the shared vision and seriousness with which the world’s two largest economies are moving to a low-carbon future.

China’s plans to create the world’s largest carbon market by 2017, coupled with its ground-breaking commitment of $3 billion to South-South cooperation on climate change, will improve the health and well-being of its citizens and deliver tangible benefits to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.  The Secretary-General also welcomes the United States' reaffirmation of its commitment to significant emissions reductions and its pledge to the Green Climate Fund.

The joint China-United States announcement provides strong leadership and momentum for a comprehensive global climate agreement in Paris that can put the world on a safer, more sustainable pathway.