UN Chief praises China, US commitment to Paris climate deal

It will legally only after at least 55 countries accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions join the accord

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon on Sunday spoke highly of the ratification of the Paris climate change agreement by China and the US, calling for accelerated efforts from other countries to join the ambitious accord.

"With China and the US making this historic step, we now have 26 parties in the UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention) and 39 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions accounted for," Xinhua news agency quoted Ban as saying at a press conference on the sidelines of the 11th G20 summit in Hangzhou city.

Describing the progress as a major success, Ban praised the outstanding leadership demonstrated by the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the US President Barack Obama, who handed over legal instruments to Ban on Saturday in a testament to their resolve to jointly tackle the global challenge.

Although the Paris deal was signed in the French capital in December, it will legally enter into force only after at least 55 countries accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions join the accord.

The UN chief urged other leaders to accelerate their domestic ratification processes, so that the aspiration of Paris deal could be turned into the transformative climate actions the world so urgently needs.

Noting that the Hangzhou summit is encouraging the speedy entry into force of this key agreement, Ban stressed that the international community needs to keep this momentum.

In addition, Ban praised China's presidency of the G20 — the premier platform for international economic cooperation — as well as its focus on sustainable development.

Ban said he was delighted to see that for the first time in the G20 history, sustainable development is high on the agenda and will be highlighted in the outcome documents.