Paris Agreement signing ceremony in New York – the EU calls for swift ratification

The European Union will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change on Friday 22 April in New York. The signing ceremony, convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, follows the adoption of the world’s first universal climate change agreement by 195 countries in Paris on 12 December 2015. The European Union was the first major economy to table its commitment in the run up to the Paris climate conference COP21, and now looks forward to having the Agreement ratified and entering into force swiftly. On behalf of President Jean-Claude Juncker, the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for the Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič, and the Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will attend the high-level ceremony. Vice-President Šefčovič and Dutch Environment Minister Sharon Dijksma will sign the agreement on behalf of the European Union and Commissioner Arias Cañete will deliver the official statement on behalf of the European Union. Vice-President Šefčovič said: “Our signature means first and foremost that we are signing up to the commitments we made in Paris. It sends also a clear signal that we are signing up to a fundamental and disruptive transition to a low-carbon economy and society. Europe is part of this and will continue to be a driving force. That’s why we need to deliver the Energy Union and create the conditions for future opportunities, innovation and job-creation that this transition will bring.” Commissioner Arias Cañete said: “We have agreed. We will sign, and we will act. In Europe, we have already started our homework of implementing the Paris Agreement and we will continue to lead the global low-carbon economy transition. We will ratify the Paris Agreement by securing the support of our 29 parliaments, and by demonstrating that we will have the policies in place to meet our commitments. This will ensure that when we act, we will act on a solid legal basis. Already before the start of this summer, the European Commission will present a proposal to the Council to ratify the Paris Agreement on behalf of the European Union.” The full press release is available online in EN, FR and DE.