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15 MAY 2016
| BAN KI-MOON CREDITED FOR CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRESS
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An April meeting in New York of a number of heads of state to confirm the support for climate change progress accomplished in Paris reflected a recognition of the persistent, active
role by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon who tirelessly pushed it to the mainstream of popular attention. The presence of French President François Hollande indicated the helpful role
that France, with its cultural stature and political weight, played in drawing particular support in that regard. A special role was played by France's minister of environment,
Miss Ségolène Royal. Pending questions revolve around the actual implementation, the time it would take for a number of countries to follow up, and more pressingly, actual payments
either to compensate for carbon emissions or to deal with related development issues.
The meeting in New York was a positive step on the way. Obviously, such issues would need further exploration not only by technical teams, but also on the political side. Perhaps it
would be clearer next September when heads of state meet for the other general debate.
However, it is important in the meanwhile to give credit where it is due.
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