Secretary-General Welcomes Marrakech Action Proclamation, Adopted at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Morocco

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22) that concluded today in Marrakech, Morocco.  At the Conference, Governments, many represented at the highest level, issued the Marrakech Action Proclamation.  This, as well as decisions adopted in Marrakech, powerfully reaffirms continued strong global support for the Paris Agreement on climate change and demonstrates the determination of all Governments to implement the agreement as quickly as possible.

The Secretary-General notes that all countries understand that climate action is essential for their security, economic prosperity and the health and well-being of their citizens.  Global cooperation rooted in strong national action is essential, the Secretary-General noted, saying that no country, irrespective of its size or strength, is immune from the impacts of climate change and no country can afford to tackle the climate challenge alone.

In Marrakech, parties advanced on the rule book for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.  The agreement entered into force on 4 November, years ahead of expectations.  As of today, 111 countries, accounting for more than 75 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, have ratified the agreement.

The Secretary-General applauds the bold leadership shown by many of the world’s most vulnerable countries, many of whom are in Africa, to strengthen their ambition and to move as quickly as possible towards a 100 per cent clean energy, climate-resilient future.

As the global thermostat continues to rise, the Secretary-General renewed his call for all countries and all sectors of society to significantly increase their ambition and redouble their efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.  He also called on developed countries to deliver on their pledge to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 in support of climate action by developing countries.