Sri Lanka was among the 171 countries that signed the Paris Agreement today (22) at the High- Level Signature Ceremony of the Paris Agreement held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This high-level signature ceremony is the culmination of negotiations held amongst member states who agreed on the landmark climate deal during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) held in Paris in December, last year.
Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research signed the Agreement on behalf of Sri Lanka.
The signature ceremony is a precursor to the ratification of the Agreement by each individual state, which is the most important step to ensure that the Paris Agreement is implemented globally. Some of the goals that the historic Paris Agreement intends to achieve include the prevention of an increase in global temperature of more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), requiring countries to set their own national targets beginning in 2020, and mandatory reporting, including non-binding transparency in implementing the Agreement.
After signing the Agreement, Minister Premajayantha delivered a national statement which highlighted the historical value the people and the Government of Sri Lanka had placed on the preservation of nature and the climate. He also recalled the launching of an economic development plan titled “Sri Lanka NEXT – Blue Green era” soon after the conclusion of COP21. In addition, the Minister referred to numerous initiatives that the government has and intends to undertake, so as to fulfil, in good faith, the country’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the
United Nations
New York
22nd April 2016
