Countries unite for climate change on Earth Day

Over 160 countries are expected to sign the Paris Climate Change Agreement at the United Nations headquarters in New York today.

The Paris Agreement has been designed to put the world on course for strong and decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and help all nations build a truly sustainable future for their citizens.

Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary General, will open and close the ceremony, starting from 8.30 am EST, which will also be attended by COP President Ségolène Royal and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres.

The signing ceremony will take place from 9.50 am to 1 pm when the Paris Agreement will be officially signed by over 160 representatives of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

In parallel to the signature, country representatives will give national statements.

The Paris Agreement will be open for signature at the United Nations Headquarters from April 22, 2016 to April 21, 2017.