With the \u201cdeadline\u201d for concluding a universal climate agreement just four weeks away, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today warned that despite months of talks and critical pledges on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, key issues still remain in play \u2013 on equity and differentiation, on finance and ambition \u2013 requiring world leaders to give clear guidance to their negotiators to seek compromise and reach a fair, universal deal at the upcoming UN climate conference in Paris.<\/p>\n
\u201cClimate change carries no passport and knows no national borders. Countries must work toward the common interest, beyond narrow national interests,\u201d declared Mr. Ban in a briefing to an informal meeting of the General Assembly on the ongoing preparations for the 21st Conference of States Parties to the UN Framework convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), known as COP21, to be held in the French capital from 30 November to 11 December.<\/p>\n
Telling UN Member States that while he is optimistic that after months of talks and rising calls \u201cfrom all sectors\u201d that their Governments will conclude a meaningful agreement in Paris, some key issues have proven too challenging for negotiators to resolve on their own, including on equity and differentiation, finance and ambition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will be very actively engaging with Heads of State and Government over the next four weeks to help them unlock these issues. Ultimate responsibility for success in Paris rests firmly in their hands,\u201d said the Secretary-General, pledging to urge world leaders to tell their negotiators that now is the time for compromise and consensus building.<\/p>\n
Indeed, he continued, bridges must be built to span the traditional divides between developed and developing countries. \u201cA meaningful agreement must be universal and fair. It must address urgency. And it must strengthen opportunity \u00ac\u2013 not just for some, but for all people in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UN chief said that for Paris to be a success, it must deliver on several key fronts: \u201cThe agreement must be durable and flexible. It must be rooted in solidarity. And it must be credible in its response to the urgency of climate change, including by providing the financial and other means to support this response.\u201d<\/p>\n
Welcoming the recent agreement between the Presidents of China and France in Beijing that they have agreed to have a 5 year review process, Mr. Ban said a Paris agreement must not lock in a level of mitigation ambition that undermines the below-2 degrees goal. \u201cThere can be no backsliding. Current ambition must be the floor, not the ceiling, for future efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n
On resources, he said an agreement must provide for credible means of implementation, including climate financing. Developed countries must keep their pledge to provide $100 billion a year by 2020. All concerned \u2013 both developed and developing countries \u2013 must be part of a consultative, politically credible process for defining the $100 billion trajectory.<\/p>\n
\u201cI call on developed countries to make public finance pledges before Paris that balance both adaptation and mitigation needs. This is essential for building the trust that is needed to secure a meaningful, universal agreement,\u201d the Secretary-General explained, adding that developed countries must also take the lead in, and enhance their support for, financing post-2020.<\/p>\n
Overall, he said that an agreement in Paris must mark a decisive and irreversible turning point in the world\u2019s collective response to the climate challenge. \u201cThe impacts of climate change are rapidly increasing. The world\u2019s collective ambition must increase, too. Action must be fuelled by a sense of urgency as well as opportunity. We must ensure that all countries are part of the solution, and that the benefits of low-carbon, climate-resilient growth are realized by all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Ban said that he would continue to do everything in his power to help shepherd a meaningful global agreement. \u201cI will call on your leaders to own this agreement, and to closely guide your ministers and negotiators. I will continue to encourage the path of compromise for the common good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlongside an agreement, I will also continue to work with the COP Presidents and the UNFCCC Executive Secretary to advance the Lima-Paris Action Agenda,\u201d which, he said, builds on the many, successful partnerships that were showcased at the Climate Summit he convened last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time, solutions are what we urgently need. By working together, we can and we will reach a meaningful, universal climate agreement in Paris,\u201d the Secretary-General concluded.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n