Lao government officials and members of the diplomatic corps from the EU Member States’ embassies gathered on Monday to highlight the 1st Anniversary of the Paris Agreement and achievements reached since it was adopted late last year.
The Europe House in Vientiane was illuminated with green light on Monday by EU Ambassador to Laos, Mr Leo Faber and witnessed by other diplomats and officials.
The Paris Agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so.
Speaking at the Green Light event EU Ambassador to Laos, Mr Leo Faber said “Preventing dangerous climate change is a key priority for the European Union. Europe is working hard to cut its greenhouse gas emissions substantially while encouraging other nations and regions to do likewise.”
“Together we must and we can hand over to future generations a world that is more stable, a healthier planet, fairer societies and more prosperous economies. This is not a dream. This is a reality and it is within our reach.”
The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015 at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Paris.
The agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016 and currently has 116 parties including the European Union, out of 197 Parties to the Convention to have signed the agreement.
Since the Paris Agreement will serve as a legal instrument for countries to combat climate change, Laos is the first country among Southeast Asian nations to ratify the landmark deal.
“We are very pleased to see the strong commitment of Lao government to this Agreement and would be pleased to lend our support to translate this into action at the country level,” added Ambassador Faber.
The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.
The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius; to increase the capacity to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, promoting resilience and adaptation investments in developing countries, in particular to reduce threats to food production; and to make adequate financial resources available to support a climate-resilient and low-carbon economic development.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the global climate agreement would accelerate the growth of clean energy and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and would strengthen international stability and security, save lives and improve human well-being.
In recent years, Laos has experienced severe flooding and drought, affecting livelihoods and socio-economic development.
The government is working in cooperation with friendly nations and international organisations to respond to climate change and focusing on the sustainable use of natural resources.
Source: Vientiane Times
