Pakistan ratifies Paris climate change pact

Pakistan has ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at a ceremony held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Ambassador Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN has deposited the Instrument of Ratification signed by the President of Pakistan.

With the ratification, Pakistan has become 104th country to ratify the agreement, which entered into force earlier this month. Pakistan had signed the agreement on the first day of its opening for signature in New York in April this year.

On 5 October 2016, the conditions for the agreement's entry into force were met which required ratification by at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement obliges member states to keep global warming below 2 centigrade regarded as the threshold for safety by experts and scientists.

Pakistan's ratification is in line with its firm commitment to the purposes and objectives of the Climate Convention. It also highlights the resolve of the Government of Pakistan to remain fully committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Pakistan has played a leading role in the Climate Change negotiations. The Prime Minister of Pakistan had himself led the delegation to Paris last December where Pakistan joined the international consensus on Climate Change.

This ratification by Pakistan also coincides with the ongoing Marrakesh Climate Change Conference, which is intended to take important decisions for the comprehensive implementation of the Paris Agreement and maintain the momentum achieved in Paris and subsequently.