France

Your Excellency, Dr. Khaled Fahmy, Minister of Environment of Egypt, and President of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment,
Distinguished Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am grateful for this opportunity to engage with you at this critical time in the negotiations.

I will give very brief opening remarks but mostly I am here to listen to you.

I value your frank reflections on the status of the negotiations and on Africa’s priorities.

I thank President Hollande for convening this gathering, and for France’s engagement as one of the co-leaders of the Lima-Paris Action Agenda, along with Peru, the United Nations and the UNFCCC.

I have been looking forward to Action Day because it is about the solutions we so urgently need.

Today is about action by all sectors of society.

It is about innovation and imagination; collaboration and partnership.

It is about our collective future, and it is about hope.

I am honoured to have this opportunity to address the distinguished speakers of the world’s parliaments.

I commend you for gathering here in Paris.

Climate change is the defining issue of our time.

The world needs your leadership like never before.

Parliamentarians have a key role to play in supporting an effective national and global response to climate change.

Your national climate targets are an expression of your efforts and aspirations.

I am pleased to be with you.

Climate change is the defining challenge of our time.

That is why world leaders have gathered here in Paris in unprecedented numbers.

Governments are taking action to curb emissions and strengthen climate resilience because it is in their best interest.

The same is true for all levels of government.

The global response to the climate challenge must also include robust action by cities.

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.