The European Union and the African Union reaffirm their strong commitment to full implementation of the Paris agreement, and call on all partners to keep up the momentum created in 2015.

Ahead of the COP23 in November they pledge to work together to finalise the Paris Agreement work programme. Climate change and renewable energy will figure on the agenda of the upcoming Africa-EU Summit in Abidjan on 29/30 November. This will be an opportunity to confirm the strong solidarity with those most vulnerable to climate change and the determination to work together to build strong and sustainable economies and societies resilient to climate change. The European Union and the African Union reaffirm their commitment to continuing to address the adverse effects of climate change on human and animal health, natural ecosystems and other social and economic impacts that threaten our developmental gains as a global community.

“Today is a sad day for the global community, as a key partner turns its back on the fight against climate change. The EU deeply regrets the unilateral decision by the Trump administration to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement. 

The Paris Agreement brought us together in very challenging times. It is an unprecedented multilateral partnership between nearly 200 countries, supported by companies and communities across the world, to address a problem that threatens us all. It demonstrates our generation’s responsibility towards this and future generations. 

The Paris Agreement is fit for purpose. Paris is ambitious yet not prescriptive. The Paris Agreement allows each Party to forge its own path to contributing to the goals of preventing dangerous climate change. So there is room for the US to chart its own course within the Paris Agreement. 195 countries have signed the Paris Agreement, 195 different paths to meeting the Paris goals.

The Paris Agreement will endure. The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change. Europe will lead through ambitious climate policies and through continued support to the poor and vulnerable.

The EU will strengthen its existing partnerships and seek new alliances from the world’s largest economies to the most vulnerable island states. This partnership will of course include the many US businesses, citizens and communities that have voiced their support for Paris and are taking ambitious climate action. Together, we will stand by Paris, we will implement Paris. 

We will do this because it is in our common interest.  We see the Paris Agreement and the low-carbon transition for what it is, the irreversible growth engine of our economies and the key to protecting our planet.

Today’s announcement has galvanised us rather than weakened us, and this vacuum will be filled by new broad committed leadership. Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way. We will work together to face one of the most compelling challenges of our time.

We will do it, together. We are on the right side of history.” 

Aujourd’hui encore, les forces de la paix ont été prises pour cible par ceux qui veulent semer la peur et la division. L’attaque perpétrée à Tombouctou, Mali, contre un camp de la MINUSMA et de la Force Barkhane est une attaque contre tous ceux qui s’engagent à ramener la paix et la stabilité dans le Nord Mali, dont la France, l’Union européenne et la communauté internationale à travers les Nations unies. Les responsables de cette attaque doivent être arrêtés et poursuivis en justice.

L’UE adresse ses vœux de prompt rétablissement aux victimes et à leurs familles, et réaffirme son plein soutien à la France et l’Opération Barkhane, ainsi qu’à la MINUSMA, indispensables partenaires pour le rétablissement de la paix au Mali.

Nous continuerons à travailler ensembles, aux côtés du Mali, pour permettre aux populations de vivre en sécurité et de lutter contre le terrorisme. Je porterai ce message d’unité et de détermination lors de ma visite à Bamako dans quelques jours.