France

Excellencies, Distinguished leaders of States and Regions, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be with you here in Paris at this pivotal moment in history.

Your shared commitment to sustainable practices and innovation are laying the foundation for a low-emissions future.

Regions, countries and cities need the ambition and vision of local leaders like you.

You are providing solutions to the world’s most important challenges.

And at this time, solutions are what we urgently need.

We have gathered here today to showcase your leadership.

I thank Mayor Hidalgo for hosting this important event, along with my Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, Mr. Michael Bloomberg.

Let me first express my solidarity with the people of Paris.

Last month’s brutal terrorist attacks are appalling crimes against a city and nation known for tolerance and civilization.

They only serve to deepen our resolve to build a safer, more equitable and sustainable future.

This is a future in which we also live in harmony with our natural environment.

[As prepared for delivery]

Your Excellency Mr. François Hollande, President of France,

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank Africa’s leaders for coming to Paris and joining hands for today’s gathering.

COP21 got off to a good start yesterday. Africa has an enormous stake in its success. Your personal engagement and ownership will be essential in producing the ambitious agreement that Africa’s people and the entire world need.

I am pleased to join you for the launch of the International Solar Alliance.

In September, Prime Minister Modi and more than 130 other world leaders met at the United Nations in New York to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

At the heart of the new agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, protect the environment, and promote a life of well-being and dignity for all.

But, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we must address climate change.

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be with you to focus on climate resilience and to launch a new effort to address this crucially important challenge.

The impacts of climate change are growing.

Three out of four humanitarian disasters are now climate-related.

Economic losses have increased by more than half over the past decade.

Ecosystems, and food and water supplies are under increasing pressure.

Your Excellency François Hollande, President of France,

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Hollande for convening this leaders’ summit and for hosting COP21 under very challenging circumstances.

We have heard many speeches today, so I will keep my remarks brief.

Excellencies, my message is simple: The fate of a robust, global climate change agreement rests with you.

Your Excellency Mr. François Hollande, President of France,

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Your Excellency Mr. Laurent Fabius, President of COP21,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You are here today to write the script for a new future.

A future of hope and promise -- of increased prosperity, security and dignity for all.

In September, you adopted an inspiring new sustainable development agenda with ambitious goals endorsed by all.

You showed your commitment to act for the common good.

Excellencies,

Citizens of Paris and the world,

It is an honour to be with you in the heart of Paris.

We are here to celebrate the start of two historic weeks, during which governments will forge a shared, global response to climate change.

Meeting the climate challenge is central to building a more equitable and peaceful future for all on a healthy planet.

Leaders bear responsibility for the success of the negotiations.

But it is all of you – the great forces of civil society -- who have helped get us to this pivotal moment.