Activities of Secretary-General in France, 4 October

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon‑taek, travelled from Bern, Switzerland, to Strasbourg on Tuesday, 4 October, to attend a climate-related event at the European Parliament.  The Secretary-General was welcomed by Martin Schulz, President of the Parliament.

At a plenary session of the European Parliament, the Secretary-General appealed for approval of a fast-track ratification of the Paris Agreement, which then took place.  (See Press Release SG/SM/18175.)  Mr. Ban then witnessed the signing of a symbolic document on the outcome of the vote.

Afterwards, the Secretary-General joined European Union President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Union Parliament President Martin Schultz and the President of the twenty-first Conference of Parties and France’s Minister for the Environment, Ségolène Royal, at a press briefing.

The Secretary-General told journalists that he was grateful to the European Union for the support and leadership it was displaying for the Paris Agreement.  He said that European Parliamentarians have underscored their commitment to international cooperation, which is at the heart of the European Union’s identity.

Following lunch hosted by Mr. Schulz, the Secretary-General held a meeting with Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

Later on Tuesday afternoon, the Secretary-General, with his wife and delegation, flew to Brussels to attend the European Union-hosted Afghan conference.