Congratulating China, United States on Joining Paris Climate Change Agreement, Secretary-General Calls for All Countries to Accelerate Ratification Efforts

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

The Secretary-General congratulates the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America for joining the Paris Agreement on climate change today.  President Xi Jinping of China and President Barack Obama of the United States deposited their official instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval with the Secretary-General, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement.

Together, China and the United States, the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters, represent nearly 38 per cent of global emissions.  As of today, a total of 26 countries, accounting for 39 per cent percent of global emissions, have now officially joined the Paris Agreement.  The Paris Agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the Secretary-General.  The Secretary-General urges all countries to accelerate their national efforts to join the Paris Agreement so that it will enter into force by the end of 2016.

On 21 September, the Secretary-General will host a high-level event at the United Nations to provide an opportunity for countries to deposit their legal instruments and to publicly commit to joining the Paris Agreement before the end of 2016.  The event on 21 September will build on the strong political momentum from Paris for urgent global action on climate change by all countries, which is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a more prosperous, equitable and liveable future for all people.