V, Resolutions adopted on the reports of ------------------------------the- S-e-cond- C-o-mm-itt·e-·e- --------------- 133
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General? concerning
the findings and recommendations of a high-level
mission, which assessed the conditions of the displaced
population and assisted in the formulation of an interim
assistance programme focusing on the urgent
humanitarian and rehabilitation requirements of the displaced,
1. Expresses its solidarity with the Government and the
people of the Sudan in facing a grave and complex
humanitarian and economic situation;
2. Expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Governments
and international and non-governmental organizations
that provided support and assistance to the Government
of the Sudan in its relief and rehabilitation efforts;
3. Recognizes the valuable efforts of the Government
of the Sudan to provide assistance to the people affected;
4. Recognizes also the importance of intense and wide
co-operation with international relief organizations, as
well as non-governmental organizations, to ensure the
provision of humanitarian assistance where needed in all
areas affected;
5. Takes note of the interim assistance programme
contained in the report of the Secretary-General;5
6. Calls upon all States to contribute generously to
programmes for the relief and rehabilitation of displaced
persons;
7. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General
for his efforts to make the international community more
aware of the enormous difficulties facing the displaced
population and to mobilize assistance to the Sudan;
8. Welcomes the decision of the Secretary-General to
organize, as requested by the Government of the Sudan
and in close co-operation with the United Nations Development
Programme and the World Bank, a meeting of
bilateral donors and pertinent international institutions
and non-governmental organizations in order to mobilize
resources needed to implement a follow-up emergency assistance
programme covering the rehabilitation and resettlement
needs of displaced persons;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to apprise the Economic
and Social Council at its first regular session of
1989 of his efforts and to report thereon to the General Assembly
at its forty-fourth session.
70th plenary meeting
6 December 1988
43/53. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Welcoming with appreciation the initiative taken by the
Government of Malta in proposing for consideration by
the Assembly the item entitled "Conservation of climate
as part of the common heritage of mankind",
Concerned that certain human activities could change
global climate patterns, threatening present and future
generations with potentially severe economic and social
consequences,
Noting with concern that the emerging evidence indicates
that continued growth in atmospheric concentrations
of "greenhouse" gases could produce global warming
with an eventual rise in sea levels, the effects of which
could be disastrous for mankind if timely steps are not
taken at all levels,
' A/43/755.
Recognizing the need for additional research and scientific
studies into all sources and causes of climate change,
Concerned also that emissions of certain substances are
depleting the ozone layer and thereby exposing the earth's
surface to increased ultra-violet radiation, which may pose
a threat to, inter alia, human health, agricultural productivity
and animal and marine life, and reaffirming in this
context the appeal, contained in its resolution 42/182 of
11 December 1987, to all States that have not yet done so
to consider becoming parties to the Vienna Convention for
the Protection of the Ozone Layer, adopted on 22 March
1985, and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer, adopted on 16 September 1987, as
soon as possible,
Recalling its resolutions 42/186 and 42/187 of 11
December 1987 on the Environmental Perspective to the
Year 2000 and Beyond and on the report of the World
Commission on Environment and Development, respectively,
Convinced that changes in climate have an impact on development,
A ware that a considerable amount of valuable work, particularly
at the scientific level and in the legal field, has already
been initiated on climate change, in particular by
the United Nations Environment Programme, the World
Meteorological Organization and the International Council
of Scientific Unions and under the auspices of individual
States,
Welcoming the convening in 1990 of a second World
Climate Conference,
Recalling also the conclusions of the meeting held at Villach,
Austria, in 1985,6 which, inter alia, recommended a
programme on climate change to be promoted by Governments
and the scientific community with the collaboration
of the World Meteorological Organization, the United
Nations Environment Programme and the International
Council of Scientific Unions,
Convinced that climate change affects humanity as a
whole and should be confronted within a global framework
so as to take into account the vital interests of all
mankind,
I. Recognizes that climate change is a common concern
of mankind, since climate is an essential condition
which sustains life on earth;
2. Determines that necessary and timely action should
be taken to deal with climate change within a global
framework;
3. Reaffirms its resolution 42/184 of 11 December
1987, in which, inter alia, it agreed with the Governing
Council of the United Nations Environment Programme
that the Programme should attach importance to the
problem of global climate change and that the Executive
Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
should ensure that the Programme co-operates closely
with the World Meteorological Organization and the International
Council of Scientific Unions and maintains an
active, influential role in the World Climate Programme;
4. Considers that activities in support of the World Climate
Programme, approved by the Congress and Executive
Council of the World Meteorological Organization
and elaborated in the system-wide medium-term environment
programme for the period 1990-1995, which was approved
by the Governing Council of the United Nations
See United Nations Environment Programme, Annual Report of the
Executive Director, 1985 (UNEP/GC.14/2), chap. IV, paras. 138-140.
134 General Assembly--Forty-third Session
Environment Programme, 7 should be accorded high priority
by the relevant organs and programmes of the
United Nations system;
5. Endorses the action of the World Meteorological
Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme
in jointly establishing an Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change to provide internationally coordinated
scientific assessments of the magnitude, timing
and potential environmental and socio-economic impact
of climate change and realistic response strategies, and expresses
appreciation for the work already initiated by the
Panel;
6. Urges Governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental
organizations and scientific institutions to
treat climate change as a priority issue, to undertake and
promote specific, co-operative action-oriented programmes
and research so as to increase understanding on
all sources and causes of climate change, including its regional
aspects and specific time-frames as well as the cause
and effect relationship of human activities and climate,
and to contribute, as appropriate, with human and financial
resources to efforts to protect the global climate;
7. Calls upon all relevant organizations and programmes
of the United Nations system to support the
work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
8. Encourages the convening of conferences on climate
change, particularly on global warming, at the national,
regional and global levels in order to make the international
community better aware of the importance of dealing
effectively and in a timely manner with all aspects of
climate change resulting from certain human activities;
9. Calls upon Governments and intergovernmental organizations
to collaborate in making every effort to prevent
detrimental effects on climate and activities which affect
the ecological balance, and also calls upon nongovernmental
organizations, industry and other productive
sectors to play their due role;
10. Requests the Secretary-General of the World
Meteorological Organization and the Executive Director
of the United Nations Environment Programme, utilizing
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, immediately
to initiate action leading, as soon as possible, to a
comprehensive review and recommendations with respect
to:
(a) The state of knowledge of the science of climate
and climatic change;
(b) Programmes and studies on the social and economic
impact of climate change, including global warming;
(c) Possible response strategies to delay, limit or mitigate
the impact of adverse climate change;
(d) The identification and possible strengthening of
relevant existing international legal instruments having a
bearing on climate;
(e) Elements for inclusion in a possible future international
convention on climate;
11. Also requests the Secretary-General to bring the
present resolution to the attention of all Governments,
as well as intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental
organizations in consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council and well-established scientific
institutions with expertise in matters concerning climate;
7 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-third Session,
Supplement No. 25 (A/43/25), annex, decision SS.1/3.
12. Further requests the Secretary-General to report to
the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session on the implementation
of the present resolution;
13. Decides to include this question in the provisional
agenda of its forty-fourth session, without prejudice to the
application of the principle of biennialization.
70th plenary meeting
6 December 1988
43/178. Assistance to the Palestinian people
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 42/166 of 11 December 1987,
Taking note of Economic and Social Council resolution
1988/54 of 26 July 1988,
Bearing in mind the Declaration on the Granting of Independence
to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 8
Recalling the Programme of Action for the Achievement
of Palestinian Rights, adopted by the International
Conference on the Question of Palestine, 9
Taking into account the intifadah of the Palestinian people
in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem,
against the Israeli occupation including its economic
and social policies and practices,
Affirming that the Palestinian people cannot develop
their national economy as long as the Israeli occupation
persists,
Taking into consideration the recent steps taken by Jordan
concerning the occupied Palestinian West Bank,
Aware of the increasing need to provide economic and
social assistance to the Palestinian people,
I. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on
assistance to the Palestinian people; 10
2. Regrets that the programme of economic and social
assistance to the Palestinian people has not been developed
as requested by the General Assembly in its resolution
42/166;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to charge the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)
with supervising the development of the programme and
to provide it with the funds needed to engage twenty experts
to prepare an adequate programme, in close cooperation
with the Palestine Liberation Organization, taking
into account the intifadah of the Palestinian people in
the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem,
and its implications;
4. Expresses its appreciation to those States, United
Nations bodies and intergovernmental and nongovernmental
organizations that have provided assistance
to the Palestinian people;
5. Urges Member States, organizations of the United
Nations system and intergovernmental and nongovernmental
organizations to disburse their aid or any
other forms of assistance to the occupied Palestinian territory
solely for the benefit of the Palestinian people and in a
manner that will not serve to prolong the Israeli occupation;
6. Calls for the provision of emergency assistance to
the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian terri-
8 Resolution 1514(XV)
Report of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine,
Geneva, 29 August-7 September 1983 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.83.1.21), chap. I, sect. B.
IO A/43/367-E/1988/82 and Corr.1 and 2.
130 General Assembly--Forty-fourth Session
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, on the
potential global problem of sea-level rise, and taking note,
in this connection, of decision 15/360f25 May 1989 of the
Governing Council of the United Nations Environment
Programme on global climate change,47
Noting also the concern expressed in the Final Communiqu~
of the Twentieth South Pacific Forum, held at
Tarawa, Kiribati, on JO and 11 July 1989, at the possible
effects on island countries of rising sea levels resulting
from global warming,
Noting further the support expressed in the Langkawi
Declaration on Environment, adopted by the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting on 21 October
1989, for low-lying and island countries in their efforts to
protect themselves and their vulnerable natural marine
ecosystems from the effects of sea-level rise,
Taking note of the Mal~ Declaration on Global Warming
and Sea Level Rise, adopted by the Small States Conference
on Sea Level Rise, held at Mal~, Maldives, from
14 to 18 November 1989,50 in which the participants declared
their intent to work, collaborate and seek international
co-operation to protect the low-lying small coastal
and island States of the world from the dangers posed by
climate change, global warming and sea-level rise,
Expressing concern that sea-level rise resulting from global
climate change could lead, inter alia, to abnormally
high tides, which could intensify flooding and the erosion
of coastal areas and damage infrastructure on islands and
in low-lying coastal areas,
l. Welcomes the growing attention being given worldwide
to the potentially serious effects on islands and
coastal areas, particularly low-lying coastal areas, of sealevel
rise resulting from climate change;
2. Urges the international community to provide effective
and timely support to countries affected by sea-level
rise, particularly developing countries, in their efforts to
develop and implement strategies to protect themselves
and their vulnerable natural marine ecosystems from the
particular threats of sea-level rise caused by climate
change;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to invite the United
Nations Environment Programme, the World Meteorological
Organization and, through them, the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change to take account in their
work of the particular situation of islands and coastal
areas, particularly low-lying coastal areas, by undertaking
further scientific studies and by seeking ways lo address
the problems of sea-level rise, inter alia, by providing expertise,
as requested, in accordance with their specific
mandates, for improved management of coastal zones:
4. Recommends that the vulnerability of affected countries
and their marine ecosystems to sea-level rise be considered
during discussions of a draft framework convention
on climate as well as within the framework of the
United Nations conference on environment and development
to be held in 1992 and during the preparatory process
for the conference;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation
of the present resolution to the General Assembly
at its forty-sixth session, through the Economic
47 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-fourth Session,
ppl@men No. 25 (A/44/25). annex 1
A/44/463, annex, para. 20
4 Ibid., para. 8 (k)
$0 A/C.2/44/7, annex
and Social Council and the Governing Council of the
United Nations Environment Programme.
85th plenary meeting
22 December I989
44/207. Protection of global climate for present and
future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 43/53 of 6 December 1988. in
which it recognized climate change as a common concern
of mankind,
Taking note of decision 15/36 of 25 May 1989 of the
Governing Council of the United Nations Environment
Programme on global climate change,
Taking note of the message of the Chairman of the Conference
on Saving the Ozone Layer, held in London from 5
to 7 March 1989,5 the Declaration of The Hague endorsed
by 24 heads of State or Government or their representatives
at The Hague on 11 March 1989,5 the Helsinki
Declaration on the Protection of the Ozone Layer adopted
on 2 May 1989, the relevant parts of the Langkawi Deelaration
on Environment issued by the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting on 21 October 1989,° the
Declaration adopted at Noordwijk, the Netherlands. by
the Ministerial Conference on Atmospheric Pollution and
Climate Change, held on 6 and 7 November 1989,5° and
relevant parts of the Caracas Declaration adopted at the
special ministerial meeting of the Group of Seventy-seven,
held at Caracas from 21 to 23 June 1989,56
Taking note of the relevant declarations and decisions
adopted at intergovernmental regional meetings during
1989, including the Amazon Declaration, adopted by the
Presidents of the States parties to the Treaty for
Amazonian Co-operation at Manaus, Brazil. on 6 May
1989,57 the Declaration of Brasilia, issued at the Sixth
Ministerial Meeting on the Environment in Latin America
and the Caribbean, held at Brasilia on 30 and 31 March
1989,58 and the relevant parts of the Final Communiqu~ of
the Twentieth South Pacific Forum, held at Tarawa,
Kiribati, on 10 and 11 July 1989,59
Noting that, in the Economic Declaration adopted in
Paris on 16 July 1989, at the Summit of the seven major
industrial nations, the heads of State or Government of
those countries and the President of the Commission of
the European Communities supported the decision of the
World Meteorological Organization to establish a global
reference network to detect climate change, agreed that a
framework convention on climate was urgently required
and recognized that specific protocols with commitments
could develop within this framework,
Taking note of the final documents of the Ninth Confer
ence of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned
Countries, held at Belgrade from 4 to 7 September 1989,°
which, inter alia, emphasized that necessary and timely
action should be taken to deal with climate changes and
their consequences within a global framework and, in this
"9! See UNEP/OzL.Pro.1/5, para. 1I
52 A/44/340-E/1989/120, annex.
93 UNEP/OLL.Pro.1/5, appendix I
54 A/44/673, annex.
$5 A/C.2/44/5, annex
56 A/44 361, annex.
$7 A/44/275-E/1989/79, annex
58 A/44/683, annex
59 4\/44463, annex.
60 See A/C.2/44/11, annex, paras. 40-51
61 4/44 551-$/20870, annex
V. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the Second Committee -----------------
131
context; called for the preparation and adoption of a
framework convention on climate on an urgent basis in
conformity with General Assembly resolution 43/53,
Recognizing the need for additional research and scientific
studies into all sources, causes and effects of climate
change,
Noting the fact that the largest part of the current emission
of pollutants into the environment originates in developed
countries, and recognizing therefore that those countries
have the main responsibility for combating such
pollution,
Recognizing the need for international collaboration
with a view to adopting effective measures on the question
of climate change, within a global framework and taking
into account the particular needs and development priorities
of developing countries,
Concerned that the participation of the developing countries
in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
remains limited, and stressing the need for the Intergovernmental
Panel, in view of its intergovernmental nature,
to do all that it can to ensure adequate participation and
governmental involvement in its activities in accordance
with United Nations practice,
l. Emphasizes the need to address with urgency the
question of climate change as reflected in the conclusions
of various important international meetings;
2. Recommends that Governments, with due consideration
for the need for increased scientific knowledge of the
sources, causes and impact of climate change and of global,
regional and local climates, continue and, wherever
possible, increase their activities in support of the World
Climate Programme and the International GeosphereBiosphere
Programme, including the monitoring of atmospheric
composition and climate conditions, and also
recommends that the international community support efforts
by developing countries to participate in these scientific
activities;
3. Urges Governments, in keeping with their national
policies, priorities and regulations, and intergovernmental
organizations to collaborate in making every possible effort
to limit, reduce and prevent activities that could adversely
affect climate, and calls upon non-governmental
organizations, industry and other productive sectors to
play their due role;
4. Reaffirms that, in accordance with the Charter of
the United Nations and the principles of international law,
States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources
in accordance with their environmental policies,
and also reaffirms their responsibility to ensure that activities
within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage
to the environment of other States or of areas beyond
the limits of national jurisdiction and to play their due role
in preserving and protecting the global and regional environment
in accordance with their capacities and specific
responsibilities;
5. Reaffirms that, owing to its universal character the
United Nations system, through the General Assembly, is
the appropriate forum for concerted political action on
global environmental problems;
6. Welcomes the joint efforts of the World Meteorological
Organization and the United Nations Environment
Programme in providing support to the urgent work being
undertaken by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change and its three working groups established to assess
scientific information on, and the social and economic impact
of. climate change and to formulate response strategies;
7. Invites all Governments, as well as relevant intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations, to
support fully and participate actively in the work of the
Intergovernmental Panel;
8. Welcomes the establishment of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change Trust Fund and the contributions
made to it;
9. Urges the Intergovernmental Panel to take the
necessary steps to ensure the participation of developing
countries in scientific and policy aspects of its work, and
calls upon the international community, in particular the
developed countries, to consider contributing generously
to the Trust Fund, with a view to financing the participation
of experts designated by Governments of developing
countries in all the meetings of the Intergovernmental
Panel, including its working groups and subgroups;
I 0. Supports the request made by the Governing
Council of the United Nations Environment Programme,
in its decision 15/36, that the Executive Director of the
Programme, in co-operation with the Secretary-General
of the World Meteorological Organization, begin preparations
for negotiations on a framework convention on climate,
laking into account the work of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, as well as the results
achieved at international meetings on the subject, including
the Second World Climate Conference, and recommends
that such negotiations begin as soon as possible
after the adoption of the interim report of the Intergovernmental
Panel and that the General Assembly, at an early
date during its forty-fifth session, take a decision recommending
ways and means and modalities for pursuing
these negotiations further, taking into account the work of
the preparatory committee for the United Nations conference
on environment and development to be held in 1992;
I I. Requests the Secretary-General to circulate for the
information of delegations the reports of the third and
fourth plenary meetings of the Intergovernmental Panel,
as well as its interim report, as official documents of the
forty-fifth session of the General Assembly;
12. Urges Governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental
organizations and scientific institutions to
collaborate in efforts to prepare, as a matter of urgency, a
framework convention on climate and associated protocols
containing concrete commitments in the light of priorities
that may be authoritatively identified on the basis
of sound scientific knowledge, and taking into account the
specific development needs of developing countries;
13. Recommends that Governments and competent intergovernmental
organizations consider, while awaiting
the outcome of the negotiations, the range of possible options
for averting the potentially damaging impact of climate
change, for removing the causes of the phenomenon
and for developing programmes for implementing those
options which respond more appropriately to national
needs as outlined in paragraphs 11 (a) to (j) of decision
15/36 of the Governing Council;
14. Encourages Governments and relevant international
organizations to further the development of international
funding mechanisms, taking account of proposals
for a climate fund and other innovative ideas and bearing
in mind the need to provide new and additional financial
resources to support developing countries in identifying,
analysing, monitoring, preventing and managing environmental
problems, primarily at their source, in accordance
with national development goals, objectives and plans, so
132 General Assembly-Forty-fourth Session
as to ensure that development priorities are not adversely
affected;
15. Decides that the concept of assured access for developing
countries to environmentally sound technologies
and assured transfer of those technologies to developing
countries on favourable terms and the relation of that concept
to intellectual property rights should be explored in
the context of the elaboration of a framework convention
on climate, with a view to developing effective responses to
the needs of developing countries in this area,
16. Requests the Secretary-General, in the context of
ongoing intergovernmental and other efforts in this field,
to continue his support for the formulation and implementation
of strategies to respond to climate change;
17. Also requests the Secretary-General to bring the
present resolution to the attention of all Governments, as
well as intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental
organizations in consultative status with the Economic
and Social Council and scientific institutions with
expertise in matters concerning climate;
18. Further requests the Secretary-General to report to
the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session on the progress
achieved in the implementation oft he present resolution;
19. Decides to include this question in the provisional
agenda of its forty-fifth session, without prejudice to the
application of the principle of biennialization.
85th plenary meeting
22 December 1989
44/208. United Nations Pledging Conference for Development
Activities
The General Assembly,
Noting the importance of the United Nations Pledging
Conference for Development Activities,
Bearing in mind the need for the Conference, the principal
occasion for Member States and others to announce
their contributions to the operational activities of the
United Nations system, to continue to he managed as effectively
as possible,
Requests the Secretary-General to examine the modalities
of the United Nations Pledging Conference for Development
Activities and to make recommendations on future
administrative arrangements for the Conference to
the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session
of 1990, for transmission to the 1990 Conference and
to the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session, as appropriate,
including the following arrangements:
(a) Sessional arrangements for the Conference, including
the possibility of shortening it, and its timing, bearing
in mind the budgetary cycles of Governments;
(b) Procedures for making pledges, including the
greater use of written pledges, as appropriate;
(c) Formalization of and rationalization of procedures
for the Final Act of the Conference
85th plenary meeting
22 December 1989
44/209. Fortieth anniversary of multilateral technical
co-operation for development within the United
Nations system
The General Assembly,
Voting that 1990 will be the fortieth anniversary of multilateral
technical co-operation for development within
the United Nations system, which commenced with the
establishment of the Expanded Programme of Technical
Assistance°? and the Special Fund,9 the two programmes
later consolidated into the United Nations Development
Programme.
Faking note of decisions 89/68 of 30 June 1989 of the
Governing Council of the United Nations Development
Programme and 1989/187 of 28 July 1989 of the Eeonomie
and Social Council,
I. Decides to observe, during its forty-fifth session, the
fortieth anniversary of multilateral technical co-operation
for development within the United Nations system in a
manner befitting the role and achievements of such cooperation,
and also decides that Wednesday, 24 October
1990, United Nations Day, shall be the day for the commemoration
of this anniversary;
Invites the Secretary-General, in close co-operation
with the Administrator of the United Nations Development
Programme, to make the necessary preparations for
the celebration of the anniversary, and also invites all organs,
organizations and bodies of the United Nations system
engaged in technical co-operation to contribute to the
preparations.
85th plenary meeting
22 December 1989
44/210. Future needs in the field of population, including
the development of resource requirements
for international population assistance
he General Assembly,
Reaffirming the principles and objectives of the World
Population Plan of Action,"? which were affirmed and expanded
at the International Conference on Population, o
Recalling decision 87/30 of 18 June 1987 of the Governg
Council of the United Nations Development Programme,
in which the Governing Council welcomed the
intention of the United Nations Population Fund to conduct
a wide-rangmng review and assessment of accumulated
population experience in key areas within its
mandate,o7
Recalling also ts resolution 43/199 of 20 December
1988, in which it welcomed the review and assessment berug
conducted by the United Nations Population Fund of
its experience in the field of population and requested that
an appropriate summary of the main findings, conclusions
and recommendations be submitted to the General Assembly
at its forty-fourth session,
' Resolution 304 (IV)
} Resolution 1240 (XI1H)
" Resolution 2029 (XX
"·See Report of the United Nations World Population Conference
Bucharest, 19-30 August 1974 (United Nations publication, Sales No
E.75.X1H1.3). chap. I
bo See Report of the International Conference on Population, Mexico
Cit, 6-14 August 1984 (United Nations publication, Sales No
E.84.XIHI8 and corrigenda).
67 See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 187
Supplement Vo. 1 and corrigendum (E/1987/25 and Corr.I), annex I
V. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the Second Committee 147
United Nations or members of the specialized agencies
and observers, in accordance with the established practice
of the General Assembly;
8. Expresses its appreciation to the Governments
that have contributed to the Voluntary Fund for the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
and invites Governments to contribute urgently
and generously to the Fund in order that the operation
of the Fund may enable developing countries,
in particular the least developed among them, to participate
fully and effectively in the Conference and in
its preparatory process, in accordance with section II,
paragraph 15, of resolution 44/228;
9. Calls upon the United Nations Environment Programme
and other organs, organizations and bodies of
the United Nations system to continue to give full support
to the preparatory process for the Conference and
assist the Secretary-General of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development in the
implementation of the work programme, in conformity
with resolution 44/228;
10. Requests the organs, organizations and bodies of
the United Nations system to extend full co-operation
to developing countries in order to ensure that appropriate
preparations for the forthcoming sessions of the
Preparatory Committee are made, in particular in all
aspects relating to linkages between environment and
development, including the identification of concrete
measures and action to ensure that these issues are
treated in a balanced and integrated way;
11. Endorses Preparatory Committee decision 1/7
of 29 August 1990 concerning the dates of the second
and third sessions of the Preparatory Committee;81
12. Requests the Secretary-General of the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development
to ensure the timely submission to the Preparatory
Committee at its second and third sessions of the reports
requested at its first session;
13. Takes note of the provisions of Preparatory
Committee decision 1/1 of 14 August 1990° and authorizes
the Preparatory Committee, without prejudice to
the provisions of resolution 44/228, to continue to
apply, for the purpose of the preparatory process, the
provisional arrangements agreed upon in that decision
concerning the participation of non-governmental organizations
in the preparatory process;
14. Reiterates that the Preparatory Committee shall
review and assess ongoing negotiating processes in the
field of the environment, and invites the forums involved
in such processes to report regularly on their activities
to the Preparatory Committee at its forthcoming
sessions, in accordance with the guidelines and requirements
established by the Preparatory Committee.
71st plenary meeting
21 December 1990
45/212. Protection of global climate for present and
future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988
and 44/207 of 22 December 1989, in which it recognized
that climate change is a common concern of mankind,
and urging Governments and, as appropriate, intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations and
scientific institutions, to collaborate in a concerted effort
with the aim of preparing, as a matter of urgency,
a framework convention on climate change, and other
related instruments, containing appropriate commitments
for action to combat climate change and its adverse
effects, taking into account the most up-to-date,
sound scientific knowledge and any existing uncertainties,
as well as the particular needs and development
priorities of developing countries,
Recalling also its resolution 44/206 of 22 December
1989 on the possible adverse effects of sea-level rise on
islands and coastal areas, particularly low-lying coastal
areas,
Recalling further its resolution 44/228 of 22 December
1989 on the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development,
Taking note of the relevant resolutions and decisions
of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment
Programme and of the Executive Council of
the World Meteorological Organization,
Taking note also of the recommendations and decisions
of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development,
adopted at its organizational session79 and at its first
session,"
Noting the important work accomplished by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, which has
completed its first assessment report,
Noting also the relevant conclusions and recommendations
on climate change adopted at various intergovernmental
meetings during 1990,
Noting further the fact that the largest part of the current
emission of pollutants into the environment originates
in developed countries, and recognizing therefore
that those countries have the main responsibility for
combating such pollution,
Welcoming the fact that several countries and a regional
economic integration organization have already
taken measures or made specific commitments to address
the problem of climate change and its effects
through the stabilization and/or reduction of environmentally
harmful emissions of greenhouse gases, and
that other countries are contemplating doing so,
Noting that, pursuant to paragraph 10 of General Assembly
resolution 44/207, resolution 4 (EC-XLII) of 22
June 1990 of the Executive Council of the World Meteorological
Organization and decision SS.II/3 of 3 August
1990, adopted by the Governing Council of the
United Nations Environment Programme at its second
special session,82 an Ad Hoc Working Group of Government
Representatives to prepare for negotiations on a
framework convention on climate change met at Geneva
from 24 to 26 September 1990 and adopted a number
of recommendations,"
Recognizing the continuing need for scientific research
into the sources and effects of climate change
and its possible adverse impact, including the socio-economic
consequences, and the effectiveness of possible
response strategies, and recognizing also the import-
8 [id., Supplement No. 25 (A/45/25), annex.
83 4/45/696, annex I.
148 General Assembly Forty-fifth Session
ance of the active participation of developing countries
and the need to assist and co-operate with them in climate-
related research and action,
1. Decides to establish a single intergovernmental
negotiating process under the auspices of the General
Assembly, supported by the United Nations Environment
Programme and the World Meteorological Organization,
for the preparation by an Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee of an effective framework convention
on climate change, containing appropriate
commitments, and any related instruments as might he
agreed upon, taking into account proposals that may be
submitted by States participating in the negotiating process,
the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change and the results achieved at international
meetings on the subject, including the Second World
Climate Conference;
2. Decides that the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee should be open to all States Members of the
United Nations or members of the specialized agencies,
with the participation of observers in accordance with
the established practice of the General Assembly;
3. Welcomes the organization of a broad-based preparatory
process at the national level involving, as appropriate,
the scientific community, industry, trade
unions, non-governmental organizations and other interested
groups;
4. Decides that the first negotiating session should
be held in Washington, D.C., in February 1991 and that,
subject to review of the timetable at the end of each
negotiating session and taking into account the schedule
of other intergovernmental meetings on environment
and development matters, in particular the sessions
of the Preparatory Committee for the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
further meetings should be held at Geneva and
at Nairobi, in May/June, September and November/December
1991 and, as appropriate, between January and
June 1992;
5. Authorizes the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, with the assistance of the Executive Director
of the United Nations Environment Programme and
the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization,
pending the establishment of an ad hoc secretariat
for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee,
to convene, exceptionally, the first session of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, to he held
in Washington, D.C., in February 1991; the subsequent
sessions of the Committee shall be convened by the ad
hoc secretariat;
6. Decides that the maximum duration of each of
the negotiating sessions should be two weeks;
7. Considers that the negotiations for the preparation
of an effective framework convention on climate
change, containing appropriate commitments, and any
related legal instruments as might be agreed upon,
should be completed prior to the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development in June
1992 and opened for signature during the Conference;
8. Reaffirms the principles embodied in its resolutions
44/207 and 44/228, which take into account the
concerns of all States and the specific needs of developing
countries;
9. Takes account of the Ministerial Declaration
adopted at the Second World Climate Conference, held
at Geneva from 29 October to 7 November 19908
10. Decides to establish a special voluntary fund, administered
by the head of the ad hoc secretariat under
the authority of the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, to ensure that developing countries, in particular
the least developed among them, as well as small
island developing countries, are able to participate fully
and effectively in the negotiating process, and invites
Governments, regional economic integration organizations
and other interested organizations to contribute
generously to the fund;
11. Recommends that, at the first session of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee, to he held in
Washington, D.C., a Bureau consisting of a Chairman,
three Vice-Chairmen and a Rapporteur shall be
elected, each of the five regional groups being represented
by one member;
12. Requests the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, in consultation with the Executive Director of
the United Nations Environment Programme and the
Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization,
as well as with the executive heads of United
Nations bodies with expertise in the field of development,
to establish as soon as possible at Geneva an ad
hoc secretariat of appropriate size and quality, consisting
mainly of Professional staff of the United Nations
Environment Programme and the World Meteorological
Organization, taking into account the need to ensure
that the work programmes of those two organizations
are not negatively affected, to be co-ordinated by
those two organizations in consultation and co-operation
with the head of the ad hoc secretariat and supplemented
by staff from other bodies of the United Nations
system, as appropriate, in order to ensure that the
ad hoc secretariat embodies the requisite technical expertise;
13. Decides that the Secretary-General of the
United Nations shall appoint as head of the ad hoc secretariat
a senior official of an appropriate level, who
shall act under the guidance of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee;
14. Requests the head of the ad hoc secretariat to
co-operate closely with the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change to ensure that the Panel can respond
to the needs and requests for objective scientific and
technical advice made during the negotiating process;
15. Also requests the head of the ad hoc secretariat
to make available, at the first session of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee, the first assessment
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, including its paper on legal measures, as well
as the background documentation prepared for the
Panel, as inputs for the negotiations, together with the
Ministerial Declaration of the Second World Climate
Conference and other relevant documents;
16. Requests the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee, through the ad hoc secretariat and taking
" A/45/696/Add.I, annex IHI
V. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the Second Committee 149
into account the relevance of the negotiations to the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
to keep the Preparatory Committee for the
Conference and the Secretary-General of the Conference,
as well as the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, regularly informed in a timely manner,
through regular progress reports, of the progress of the
negotiations;
17. Also requests the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee to take into account, as appropriate, any
relevant developments in the preparations for the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
that the Preparatory Committee may bring
to its attention;
18. Requests the Chairman of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee, on behalf of the Committee,
to submit a report to the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development in 1992 on the
outcome of the negotiations, as well as on possible future
steps in the field of climate change;
19. Invites relevant non-governmental organizations
to make contributions to the negotiating process,
as appropriate, on the understanding that these organizations
shall not have any negotiating role during the
process and taking into account decision 1/1 concerning
the participation of non-governmental organizations
adopted by the Preparatory Committee for the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development
at its first session;81
20. Decides that the negotiating process shall be
funded through existing United Nations budgetary resources,
without negatively affecting its programmed
activities, and through voluntary contributions to a trust
fund established specifically for that purpose for the duration
of the negotiations and administered by the head
of the ad hoc secretariat under the authority of the Secretary-
General of the United Nations;
21. Invites the World Meteorological Organization
and the United Nations Environment Programme and
other relevant bodies of the United Nations system, including
those in the field of development, to make appropriate
contributions to the negotiating process, including
its funding;
22. Invites Governments, regional economic integration
organizations and other interested organizations
to contribute generously to the trust fund;
23. Requests the head of the ad hoc secretariat to
prepare draft rules of procedure for consideration by
the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee at its
first session;
24. Requests the Secretary-General of the United
Nations to submit to the General Assembly at its fortysixth
session a report on the progress of the negotiations;
25. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of
its forty-sixth session the item entitled "Protection of
global climate for present and future generations of
mankind".
71st plenary meeting
21 December 1990
45/213. International co-operation for the eradication
of poverty in the developing countries
The General Assembly
Recalling its resolutions 43/195 of 20 December 1988
and 44/212 of 22 December 1989, Economic and Social
Council resolution 1988/47 of 27 May 1988 and Commission
on Human Rights resolution 1989/10 of 2
March 1989 concerning extreme poverty,"
Recalling also the Declaration on International Economic
Co-operation, in particular the Revitalization of
Economic Growth and Development of the Developing
Countries, contained in the annex to its resolution
S-18/3 of 1 May 1990, and the International Development
Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development
Decade, contained in the annex to its resolution
45/199 of 21 December 1990, as well as the Paris Declaration
adopted by the Second United Nations Conference
on the Least Developed Countries on 14 September
1990,°
Recognizing that a broad consensus is emerging on
strategics to be pursued towards the achievement of the
goal of the eradication of poverty,
Recognizing also the severity of poverty problems in
devcloping countries,
Agrees that the eradication of poverty in the developing
countries is an objective of the highest priority, and
consequently urges the relevant organs, organizations
and bodies of the United Nations system to formulate
and implement forthwith, within their programmes and
activities at all levels, necessary measures and actions
to eradicate this distressing problem.
71st plenary meeting
21 December 1990
45/214. International debt crisis and development:
enhanced international co-operation towards
a durable solution to the external debt problems
of developing countries
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 41/202 of 8 December 1986,
42/198 of 11 December 1987, 43/198 of 20 December
1988 and 44/205 of 22 December 1989,
Recalling also the Declaration on International Economic
Co-operation, in particular the Revitalization of
Economic Growth and Development of the Developing
Countries, contained in the annex to its resolution
S-18/3 of 1 May 1990, and the International Development
Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development
Decade, contained in the annex to its resolution
45/199 of 21 December 1990, and taking note of the
Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries
for the 1990s, adopted by the Second United Nations
Conference on the Least Developed Countries on
14 September 1990,°
Recalling further Trade and Development Board resolutions
165 (S-IX) of I1 March 1978, 222 (XXI) of
"See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1989,
Supplement No. 2 (/1989/20), chap. I, sect. A.
130 General Assembly Forty-strtb Session
development, to be submitted to the General Assembly at
its forty-eighth session, a section on the role of women 1n
environment and sustainable development.
78th plenary meeting
19 December 1991
46/168. United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 45/211 of2 l December 1990, on
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
Having considered the reports of the Preparatory Committee
for the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development on its second and third sessions," held
at Geneva from 18 March to 5 April and from 12 August
to 4 September 1991, respectively,
1. Reaffirms its resolution 44/228 of 22 December
1989, on the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development, and calls for its full implementation;
2. Reiterates the fundamental interrelationship between
environment and development, stresses the need to
integrate fully and keep the balance between the developmental
and environmental dimensions during the entire
preparatory process and during the Conference, and further
stresses the importance of the need for cross-sectoral issues
to be fully integrated into that work;
3. Decides that the fourth session of the Preparatory
Committee for the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development should be held in New York from
2 March to 3 April 1992;
4. Stresses the importance of the regional meetings
held within the framework of preparations for the Conference,
and, in this regard, calls upon the Preparatory Committee
at its fourth session to continue to give due attention
to the recommendations of all regional meetings, including
those held recently;
5. Urges once again that representation at the Conference
be at the level of head of State or Government;
6. Takes note of the reports of the Preparatory Committee
on its second and third sessions and endorses the
decisions contained therein;
7. Endorses section B of Preparatory Committee decision
3/11 of 4 September 1991,42 in which the Preparatory
Committee recommended to the General Assembly that
pre-session consultations on the Conference be held at Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil, on 29 and 30 May 1992, and section C
of that decision," on participation in the Conference;
8. Also endorses Preparatory Committee decision 3/12
of 4 September 1991,42 on participation in the Conference,
stresses the importance of the participation of developing
countries in the preparatory process and in the Conference,
and requests the Preparatory Committee at its fourth session
to review relevant parts of the annex to section E of
its decision 3/11, with a view to ensuring adequate and
full participation of developing countries in the Conference
and in its subsidiary bodies;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to invite the following
to the Conference:
(a) All States Members of the United Nations or members
of the specialized agencies and the International
Atomic Energy Agency;
(b) Representatives of organizations that have received
a standing invitation from the General Assembly to participate,
in the capacity of observers, in the sessions and work
of all international conferences convened under its auspices;
such representatives would participate in the Conference
in that capacity, in accordance with General Assembly
resolutions 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974
and 43/177 of 15 December 1988;
(c) Representatives of the national liberation movements
recognized by the Organization of African Unity in
its region; such representatives would participate in the
Conference in the capacity of observers, in accordance
with General Assembly resolution 3280 (XXIX) of IO December
1974;
( d) All executive heads of specialized agencies and the
International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as other organs,
organizations and programmes of the United Nations
system;
(e) All intergovernmental organizations that have been
invited to participate in the work of the Preparatory Committee;
(f) All non-governmental organizations accredited to
participate in the work of the Preparatory Committee by
the conclusion of its fourth session; those organizations
should receive invitations to participate as observers at the
Conference;
10. Expresses its appreciation to the Governments and
others that have contributed to the Voluntary Fund for the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
for the preparatory process;
11. Decides to extend the validity and use of the Voluntary
Fund established by its resolution 44/228 of 22 December
1989 in order to assist developing countries in participating
fully and effectively in the Conference, requests
the Secretary-General to mobilize the necessary resources
to ensure the full participation of developing countries, in
particular the least developed countries, in the Conference
and its subsidiary organs, and urges Governments to contribute
urgently and generously to the Voluntary Fund in
order to achieve that goal;
12. Also decides to include in the provisional agenda
of its forty-seventh session an item entitled "Report of the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development",
and, in this regard, requests the Secretary-General
to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session
the report on the Conference.
78th plenary meeting
19 December 1991
46/169. Protection of global climate for present and
future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988 and
44/207 of 22 December 1989, in which it recognized climate
change as a common concern of mankind, and resolution
45/212 of 21 December 1990, by which it established
a single intergovernmental negotiating process for
V, Resolutions sdopted on the reports of the Second Committee 131
the preparation of a framework convention on climate
change,
Reiterating the objective that an effective framework
convention, containing appropriate commitments, and any
related legal instruments as might be agreed upon should
be completed prior to the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development and opened for signature
during the Conference in June 1992,
Taking note of the relevant decisions adopted in 1991 by
the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment
Programme, the eleventh session of the World Meteorological
Congress, the Preparatory Committee for the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
and other intergovernmental bodies,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,"
on the progress of the negotiations for a framework convention
on climate change,
l. Notes with appreciation the work of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention
on Climate Change at its first, second and third
sessions;°
2. Urges the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee
to expedite and successfully complete the negotiations
as soon as possible and to adopt the framework convention
on climate change, containing appropriate commitments
and any related legal instruments as may be agreed upon,
in time for it to be opened for signature during the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development;
3. Decides that the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee should hold its fifth session in New York from
18 to 28 February 1992, with the possibility of holding a
short resumed session in New York in April 1992 unless
the Committee decides otherwise at its fifth session;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to make appropriate
arrangements for the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee and its ad hoc secretariat for the rest of
1992 in the light of the consideration by the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development of the report
of the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee on possible future steps in the field of climate
change;
5. Also notes with appreciation the contributions made
to the special voluntary fund, established in accordance
with paragraph 10 of its resolution 45/212 to ensure that
developing countries, in particular the least developed
among them, as well as small island developing countries,
are able to participate fully and effectively in the negotiating
process, and invites present and potential contributors
to provide the additional and timely funding needed to ensure
adequate support for the participation of developing
countries in the negotiating process in 1992;
6. Further notes with appreciation the initial contributions
made to the trust fund for the negotiating process,
established in accordance with paragraph 20 of its resolution
45/212, and invites present and new contributors to
provide additional funding in 1992;
7. Notes the arrangements made by the SecretaryGeneral,
as well as the welcome support provided by the
United Nations Environment Programme, the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the
World Meteorological Organization and by Governments,
for the operation of the ad hoc secretariat of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee during 1991;
8. Reiterates its request to the Chairman of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee, on behalf of the
Committee, to submit a report to the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development in 1992 on the
outcome of the negotiations, as well as on possible future
steps in the field of climate change;
9. Requests the Secretary-General, in the light of the
outcome of the negotiations on the framework convention
on climate change and the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development, to report to the General
Assembly at its forty-seventh session on the implementation
of the present resolution and on possible future requirements
in relation to climate change;
l 0. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its
forty-seventh session the item entitled "Protection of global
climate for present and future generations of mankind".
78th plenary meeting
19 December 1991
46/170. Special Plan of Economic Cooperation for
Central America
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 42/1 of 7 October 1987, 43/24
of 15 November 1988, 44/10 of23 October 1989 and 45/15
of20 November 1990,
Recalling in particular its resolutions 42/204 of 11 December
1987, 42/231 of 12 May 1988, 43/210 of20 December
1988, 44/182 of 19 December 1989 and 45/231 of
21 December 1990,
Recalling the importance of the efforts made by the
Secretary-General with respect to the situation in Central
America and the continuous involvement of the United
Nations in economic cooperation in the region,
Particularly interested in continuing to address the
emergency situation in Central America, and alarmed at the
gravity of the economic and social crisis that continues to
affect the region,
Recognizing the work being done by the United Nations
Development Programme in discharging the responsibilities
entrusted to it for the coordination of the Special Plan
of Economic Cooperation for Central America,61
Recognizing that the Republic of Panama has participated
continuously in all of the intraregional coordination
and decision-making mechanisms of the Special Plan of
Economic Cooperation for Central America and that the
Central American Presidents, in the Declaration of San Salvador
of 17 July 1991,8 welcomed the decision by the
Government of Panama to participate fully and actively in
the process of integration in Central America,
Reaffirming its conviction that peace, development and
democracy are inseparable,
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on
the Special Plan of Economic Cooperation for Central
America,63 describing the status of implementation of the
Special Plan;
2. Decides to approve the inclusion of the Republic of
Panama as a full and formal participant in the Special Plan;
3. Welcomes decision 9 l/3 adopted by the Governing
Council of the United Nations Development Programme
on 22 February 1991,' and Council decision 91/54 of
20 September 1991, earmarking 20 million United States
UNITED
NATIONS
A
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/47/195
1 March 1993
Forty-seventh session
Agenda item 80
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[without reference to a Main Committee (A/47/L.49)]
47/195. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988 and 44/207 of
22 December 1989, in which it recognized climate change as a common concern of
mankind,
Recalling also its resolutions 45/212 of 21 December 1990, by which it
established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare an effective
framework convention on climate change, and any related legal instruments as
might be agreed upon, for signature during the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development, and 46/169 of 19 December 1991, by which it
provided for the continuation of work on climate change until the end of 1992,
Taking note with appreciation of the reports of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change on its work
up to May 1992 1/ and the report prepared on behalf of the Committee, by its
Chairman, for submission to the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, 2/
Taking note of resolution 15 (EC-XLIV), adopted by the Executive Council
of the World Meteorological Organization at its forty-fourth session,
1/ A/AC.237/18 (Part I) and A/AC.237/18 (Part II) and Add.1 and
Add.1/Corr.1.
2/ A/CONF.151/8.
I ••.
93-11953
A/RES/47/195
Page 2
Noting that, in accordance with paragraph 4 of its resolution 46/169 and
pursuant to resolution INC/1992/1 adopted by the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee on 9 May 1992, 3/ arrangements were made for the sixth session of
the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee,
Noting also that the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee was held at Geneva from 7 to 10 December 1992,
Noting further the interim arrangements contained in article 21 of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, A/ including the
provision that the secretariat established by the General Assembly in
resolution 45/212 should be the interim secretariat of the Convention until
the completion of the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention,
Noting with appreciation the support provided for the operation of the
secretariat during 1992 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations
Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization, as well as by
bilateral contributors,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General, 5/ with
particular reference to the possible requirements for intergovernmental and
secretariat work on the implementation of the Convention in the period up to
and including the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention,
1. Welcomes the adoption, on 9 May 1992, of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change g/ by the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change and its signing by a
large number of States;
2. Considers the Convention one of the achievements of the
international community working through the United Nations and a first step in
a cooperative response to the common concern for the change in the Earth's
climate and its adverse effects;
3. Calls upon States that have not done so to sign or accede to the
Convention, as appropriate, and all signatories that have not yet done so to
ratify, accept or approve it, so that it may enter into force;
4. Invites signatories of the Convention to communicate to the head
of the interim secretariat of the Convention, as soon as feasible, information
regarding measures consistent with the provisions of the Convention, pending
its entry into force;
3/ A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex II.
4/ Ibid., annex I.
5/ A/47/466.
I •••
A/RES/47/195
Page 3
5. Urges States to support and contribute to the activities at the
national, subregional, regional and international levels related to the basic
scientific and technical needs specified in the Convention, including those
activities carried out under the World Climate Programme and the Global
Climate Observing System;
6. Decides that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee shall
continue to function in order to prepare for the first session of the
Conference of the Parties, as specified in the Convention, and, in that
context, to contribute to the effective operation of the interim arrangements
set out in article 21 of the Convention;
7. Invites the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, in this
regard, to implement expeditiously the plan of preparatory work drawn up at
its sixth session, and requests the Secretary-General to make arrangements
within the overall calendar of conferences for the Committee to hold sessions,
in accordance with the needs of that plan;
8. Requests the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to promote a
coherent and coordinated programme of activities by competent bodies aimed at
supporting the entry into force and effective implementation of the
Convention, including strengthening the capacities of developing and all other
countries to prepare for their participation in the Convention;
9. Calls upon the organs, organizations and bodies of the United
Nations system involved in work relating to climate change, including the
interim secretariat of the Convention, to initiate and strengthen such
activities, where possible in collaboration with each other, and invites them
to make information on these activities and on any coordination arrangements
regularly available to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, through
its secretariat;
10. Invites the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to convey
information on its work to the General Assembly, as well as to the Economic
and Social Council and the Commission on Sustainable Development, as
appropriate, in particular in the context of chapter 9 of Agenda 21; Q/
11. Requests the Secretary-General to strengthen the secretariat
established by the General Assembly in its resolution 45/212 so that it may
function as the interim secretariat of the Convention until the completion of
the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and, in
that capacity, provide adequate support to the evolving work of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, and also requests him to make
provisions for this purpose within the current and forthcoming programme
budgets;
12. Invites the United Nations Environment Programme, the World
Meteorological Organization and other United Nations bodies with relevant
expertise, to continue to cooperate closely with, and to contribute staff to
assist, the head of the interim secretariat;
6/ Report of the United Nations Conference pn Environment and
Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26), chap. I,
resolution l, annex II.
I •..
A/RES/47/195
Page 4
13. Requests bilateral sources to continue to assist the interim
secretariat as hitherto;
14. Requests the head of the interim secretariat to maximize
opportunities for collaborative work with other secretariat entities,
including the secretariat of the Commission on Sustainable Development;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to maintain the special voluntary
fund established under paragraph 10 of General Assembly resolution 45/212 to
support the participation of developing countries, in particular the least
developed among them and small island developing countries, as well as
developing countries stricken by drought and desertification, in the work of
the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and in the first session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention, bearing in mind, inter alia,
resolution INC/1992/1 of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, /;
16. Also requests the Secretary-General to maintain the trust fund
established under paragraph 20 of General Assembly resolution 45/212 to
contribute to the costs of the interim secretariat of the Convention;
17. Takes note with appreciation of the contributions made to these
extrabudgetary funds and invites further adequate and timely contributions to
both funds;
18. Decides that, subject to the relevant provisions of General
Assembly resolutions 40/243 of 18 December 1985, 41/213 of 19 December 1986
and 42/211 of 21 December 1987, the costs of the work of the Committee and the
interim secretariat should be funded within the current and forthcoming
programme budgets, without adversely affecting the programmed activities of
the United Nations, and through voluntary contributions to the trust fund, as
appropriate;
19. Welcomes the invitation by the Government of Germany to host the
first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention;
20. Invites the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee to submit a final report to the General Assembly on behalf of the
Committee on the completion of the Committee's work, following the conclusion
of the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention;
21. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its forty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution;
22. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-ninth
session the item entitled "Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind".
93rd plenary meeting
22 December 1992
UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/49/120
16 February 1995
Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 89 (b)
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/49/729/Add.2)]
49/120. Protection of global climate for present
and future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 45/212 of 21 December 1990, 47/195 of 22
December 1992 and 48/189 of 21 December 1993,
Taking note of the reports of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change on its sixth to tenth
sessions, 1/ as well as the report of the Secretary-General, 2/
Reaffirming its deep appreciation for and acceptance of the generous
offer of the Government of Germany to host the first session of the Conference
of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at
Berlin from 28 March to 7 April 1995,
1. Welcomes the entry into force, on 21 March 1994, of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 3/ and notes with
satisfaction that a large number of States and one regional economic
integration organization have taken action to ratify the Convention, and calls
upon other States to take appropriate action to that end;
2. Urges the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework
Convention on Climate Change to complete fully, at its eleventh session, which
1/ A/AC.237/24, 31, 41, 55 and 76.
2/ A/49/485.
3/ A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex I.
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A/RES/49/120
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is to be held from 6 to 17 February 1995 in New York, its plan of preparatory
work for the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to provide, if possible, in the
week preceding the eleventh session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee, all necessary services to facilitate the adequate participation of
all Member States in the consultation to be undertaken by the Chairman of the
Committee during that week, as agreed by the Committee at its tenth session;
4. Requests the head of the interim secretariat to continue to
promote cooperation and coordination with other competent entities, including
those of the United Nations system, in support of the effective implementation
of the Convention, aimed in particular at facilitating timely financial and
technical assistance to developing country parties to enable them to comply
with their commitments under the Convention;
5. Takes note with appreciation of previous contributions made and
invites additional contributions to the extrabudgetary funds established under
paragraphs 10 and 20 of resolution 45/212, and maintained in accordance with
resolution 47/195, as a means of ensuring that developing countries, in
particular the least developed among them, as well as small island developing
States, are able to participate fully and effectively in the negotiating
process and in the sessions of the Conference of the Parties;
6. Requests the Secretary-General, in the context of the arrangements
within the current programme budget for the interim secretariat support for
the Convention until 31 December 1995, to maintain the above-mentioned
extrabudgetary funds;
7. Decides, in the same context, to include in the calendar of
conferences and meetings for 1994-1995 the sessions of the subsidiary bodies
of the Conference of the Parties that the Conference may need to convene in
1995;
8. Decides to consider further the item entitled "Protection of
global climate for present and future generations of mankind" at its fiftieth
session, taking account of the final report of the Chairman of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, as requested in paragraph 20 of
resolution 47/195, and of the report of the Conference of the Parties on its
first session, and requests the Secretary-General to report to it at its
fiftieth session on the implementation of the present resolution and on any
possible implications arising from the report of the Conference on its first
session.
92nd plenary meeting
19 December 1994
UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/50/115
16 February 1996
Fiftieth session
Agenda item 96 (d)
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/50/618/Add.3)]
50/115. Protection of global climate for present and
future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 45/212 of 21 December 1990, 46/169 of
19 December 1991, 47/195 of 22 December 1992, 48/189 of 21 December 1993 and
49/120 of 19 December 1994,
Noting with satisfaction that a large number of States and one regional
economic integration organization have ratified the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change 1/ and calling upon other States to take
appropriate action to that end,
Noting that, in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of General Assembly
resolution 48/189, the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was convened from 28
March to 7 April 1995 in Berlin, and that it was attended by one hundred and
sixteen of the then one hundred and eighteen Parties to the Convention, as
well as by a large number of governmental, intergovernmental and
non-governmental observers,
Expressing its deep appreciation to the Government of Germany for the
generous manner in which it hosted the first session of the Conference of the
Parties,
Looking forward to the ongoing work of the Conference of the Parties and
its subsidiary bodies in addressing climate change within the framework of the
1/ A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex I.
96-76657 /...
A/RES/50/115
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Convention and to the successful conclusion of the Berlin Mandate 2/ process
at the third session of the Conference of the Parties,
Noting the important scientific contribution of the World Meteorological
Organization/United Nations Environment Programme Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change to the Convention process and looking forward to the completion
of its second assessment report,
Recognizing the contribution to the Convention process of the interim
secretariat of the Convention, within the framework of the Department for
Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the Secretariat, as well as
the support provided to that secretariat by the World Meteorological
Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Development Programme
and bilateral contributors,
Taking note of the advice of the Secretary-General on an institutional
linkage for the secretariat of the Convention with the United Nations,
including the procedures indicated therein for the application of the
Financial Regulations and the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules of the United
Nations and for the appointment and accountability of the head of that
secretariat, 3/
Taking note also of the decision of the Conference of the Parties, 4/
on the basis of the advice of the Secretary-General, that the Convention
secretariat shall be institutionally linked to the United Nations, while not
being fully integrated into the work programme and management structure of any
particular department or programme,
Taking note further of the financial procedures for the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, its
subsidiary bodies and its permanent secretariat adopted at its first
session, 5/ whereby, inter alia, the Secretary-General is asked to establish
trust funds for the purposes of the Convention, to be managed by the head of
the Convention secretariat in accordance with duly delegated authority,
Taking note further of the decision of the Conference of the Parties 4/
whereby the General Assembly is requested, bearing in mind the institutional
linkage of the Convention secretariat to the United Nations and the large
number of States that are Parties to the Convention, to decide to finance from
the regular programme budget of the United Nations the conference-servicing
costs arising from sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its
subsidiary bodies for the duration of the institutional linkage mentioned
above,
2/ FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.1.
3/ See A/AC.237/79/Add.1; FCCC/CP/1995/5/Add.4; and A/50/716, para. 49.
4/ FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, decision 14/CP.1.
5/ Ibid., decision 15/CP.1, annex I.
/...
A/RES/50/115
Page 3
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the
implementation of General Assembly resolution 49/120, with particular
reference to the implications arising from the report of the Conference of the
Parties on its first session, 6/
1. Takes note with appreciation of:
(a) The report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on a
Framework Convention on Climate Change on its eleventh session; 7/
(b) The final report prepared on behalf of the Committee, by its
Chairman, on the completion of the Committee’s work; 8/
(c) The report of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
its first session 9/ and its presentation on behalf of the President of the
Conference;
2. Endorses the institutional linkage between the Convention
secretariat and the United Nations, as advised by the Secretary-General and
adopted by the Conference of the Parties; 4/
3. Requests the Secretary-General to review the functioning of this
institutional linkage not later than 31 December 1999, in consultation with
the Conference of the Parties, with a view to making such modifications as may
be considered desirable by both parties and to report thereon to the General
Assembly;
4. Notes that the Conference of the Parties has decided to accept the
offer of the Government of Germany to host the Convention secretariat 10/
and expresses its appreciation for the support offered by the future host
Government for the relocation and effective functioning of the Convention
secretariat;
5. Notes with appreciation contributions made to the extrabudgetary
funds established under paragraphs 10 and 20 of General Assembly resolution
45/212, and maintained in accordance with its resolution 47/195;
6. Urges Member States that are Parties to the Convention to pay
promptly and in full for each of the years 1996 and 1997, in accordance with
the indicative scale adopted by consensus by the Conference of the
Parties, 11/ the contributions required for the trust fund for the core
budget of the Convention envisaged in paragraph 13 of its financial
6/ A/50/716.
7/ A/AC.237/91 and Add.1.
8/ A/50/536, annex.
9/ FCCC/CP/1995/7 and Add.1.
10/ FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, decision 16/CP.1.
11/ Ibid., decision 15/CP.1, annex II.
/...
A/RES/50/115
Page 4
procedures, so as to ensure continuity in the cash flow required to finance
the ongoing work of the Conference of the Parties, the subsidiary bodies and
the Convention secretariat;
7. Calls upon Member States that are Parties to the Convention to
also contribute generously to the trust fund for participation in the
Convention process envisaged in paragraph 15 of its financial procedures, as
well as to the trust funds envisaged for supplementary activities under the
Convention; 12/
8. Decides to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for
1996-1997 the sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary
bodies envisaged for that biennium entailing twelve weeks of conferenceservicing
facilities;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements
to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium
1998-1999 those sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary
bodies that the Conference may need to convene in that period;
10. Takes note of the transitional arrangement for administrative
support to the Convention secretariat, outlined in the report of the
Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 49/120,
with particular reference to the implications arising from the report of the
Conference of the Parties, on its first session, 13/ which should
facilitate the establishment and relocation of the Convention secretariat and
assist it in addressing any initial financial and personnel problems that may
be encountered within this context, and also takes note of the financing
arrangements contained in paragraphs 8 and 9 above, and requests the
Secretary-General to review these arrangements towards the end of the biennium
1996-1997 and to report upon the results of this review to the Assembly at its
fifty-second session;
11. Notes that the Secretary-General intends:
(a) To transfer the end-1995 balance in the trust fund for the
negotiating process established under paragraph 20 of General Assembly
resolution 45/212 into the trust fund for the core budget of the Convention
envisaged in paragraph 13 of its financial procedures;
(b) To transfer the end-1995 balance in the special voluntary fund for
participation in the negotiating process established under paragraph 10 of the
same resolution into the trust fund for participation in the Convention
process envisaged in paragraph 15 of the aforementioned financial procedures;
12. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-first session on the implementation of the present resolution;
13. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first
session the item entitled "Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind".
12/ Ibid., decision 15/CP.1, annex I, and decision 18/CP.1.
13/ A/50/716, paras. 36-38.
/...
A/RES/50/115
Page 5
96th plenary meeting
20 December 1995
UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/51/184
3 February 1997
Fifty-first session
Agenda item 97 (e)
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/51/605/Add.5)]
51/184. Protection of global climate for present
and future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 45/212 of 21 December 1990, 46/169 of 19
December 1991, 47/195 of 22 December 1992, 48/189 of 21 December 1993, 49/120
of 19 December 1994 and 50/115 of 20 December 1995,
Noting with satisfaction that most States and one regional economic
integration organization have ratified or acceded to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change,1 and inviting States that are not
parties to take appropriate action to that end,
Welcoming the achievements of the second session of the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held
at Geneva from 8 to 19 July 1996, and noting that the Conference of the
Parties at its second session adopted by consensus a series of substantive
decisions,2
Recalling that at its second session the Conference of the Parties took
note, without formal adoption, of the Geneva Ministerial Declaration3 which
received majority support among ministers and other heads of delegations
attending the Conference, which, inter alia, called for acceleration of
negotiations on the text of a legally binding protocol or another legal
1 A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex I.
2 See FCCC/CP/1996/15/Add.1.
3 Ibid., annex.
97-76591 /...
A/RES/51/184
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instrument to be completed in due time for adoption at the third session of
the Conference of the Parties,
Taking note with appreciation of the scientific contribution to the
convention process of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the
World Meteorological Organization/United Nations Environment Programme, and
also taking note of its second assessment report as the most comprehensive
assessment available to date of the issues related to global climate change,
Concerned that changes in climate may result in significant and often
adverse impacts on many ecological systems and socio-economic sectors,
including food supply and water resources, and on human health, and noting
that in some cases the impacts are potentially irreversible, and that
developing countries and small island developing States are typically more
vulnerable to climate change,
Looking forward to the continued efforts of the Conference of the
Parties and its subsidiary bodies in addressing climate change and, in
particular, to the successful conclusion of the Berlin Mandate4 process at the
third session of the Conference of the Parties,
Reiterating that a comprehensive approach should be adopted by the
Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies in the implementation of
the Convention, including the full consideration of the particular situation
of the developing countries as recognized by the Convention,
Taking note with appreciation of the generous offer of the Government of
Japan to host the third session of the Conference of the Parties at Kyoto from
1 to 12 December 1997,5
Noting that the relocation of the Convention secretariat to Bonn,
Germany, is well under way, and expressing its appreciation to the Government
of Germany and the city of Bonn for the facilities and support they are
providing to the secretariat,
Recalling its request to the Secretary-General, as put forth in
paragraph 9 of resolution 50/115, to make the necessary arrangements to
include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium 1998-1999
those sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies that
the Conference may need to convene in that period, and noting that those
arrangements should be made without prejudice to the outcome of the review
referred to in paragraph 3 below,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the
implementation of resolution 50/115,6
1. Notes the administrative arrangements regarding personnel and
financial matters that have been established in the context of the
4 FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.1.
5 FCCC/CP/1996/15/Add.1, decision 1/CP.2.
6 A/51/484.
/...
A/RES/51/184
Page 3
transitional arrangement for administrative support to the secretariat of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for the biennium 1996-
1997;7
2. Also notes the arrangements made for the provision of conference
services to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary
bodies for the biennium 1996-1997;8
3. Reiterates its request to the Secretary-General, as set forth in
paragraph 10 of resolution 50/115, to review the arrangements mentioned in
paragraphs 1 and 2 above towards the end of the biennium 1996-1997 and to
report on the results of that review to the Assembly at its fifty-second
session, taking into account evolving needs arising from the relocation to
Bonn of the Convention secretariat;
4. Notes with appreciation contributions made to the extrabudgetary
funds established under paragraphs 10 and 20 of resolution 45/212 and
maintained in accordance with resolution 47/195, and calls upon Member States
that are parties to the Convention to also contribute generously to the trust
fund for participation in the Convention process, envisaged in paragraph 15 of
its financial procedures, and to the trust funds envisaged for supplementary
activities under the Convention;9
5. Calls upon Member States that are parties to the Convention to pay
in full and in a timely manner for each of the years 1996 and 1997, in
accordance with the indicative scale adopted by consensus by the Conference of
the Parties,10 the contributions required for the trust fund for the core
budget of the Convention, envisaged in paragraph 13 of its financial
procedures, so as to ensure continuity in the cash flow required to finance
the ongoing work of the Conference of the Parties, the subsidiary bodies and
the Convention secretariat;
6. Invites the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change to report to the General Assembly at its fiftysecond
session and, pending the outcome of the special session of the General
Assembly in 1997, to report on the results of future meetings of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention;
7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind" and to consider at that session the reviews requested
in paragraph 10 of resolution 50/115.
86th plenary meeting
16 December 1996
7 Ibid., paras. 14-18.
8 Ibid., para. 9.
9 FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, decision 15/CP.1, annex I, and decision 18/CP.1.
10 Ibid., decision 15/CP.1, annex II.
UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/52/199
2 March 1998
Fifty-second session
Agenda item 98 (c)
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/52/629/Add.3)]
52/199. Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 50/115 of 20 December 1995 and 51/184 of 16 December 1996 and other
relevant resolutions relating to the protection of the global climate for present and future generations of
mankind,
Noting with satisfaction that most States and one regional economic integration organization have ratified
or acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,1
Expressing its deep appreciation to the Government of Japan for hosting the third session of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
Looking forward to the continued efforts of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies in
addressing climate change,
Taking note of the statement of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change on the results of the meeting of the Conference of the Parties prepared in response to the
invitation of the General Assembly as contained in paragraph 6 of resolution 51/184,
Noting with regret that the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolutions 50/115
and 51/184 was not submitted on time,
1. Welcomes the convening of the third session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Kyoto, Japan, from 1 to 10 December 1997;
1 A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex I.
98-76987 /...
A/RES/52/199
Page 2
2. Calls upon all States to strive for a successful outcome of the Berlin Mandate2 process;
3. Notes the ongoing process of the review of the administrative arrangements regarding personnel and
financial matters established in the context of the transitional arrangement for administrative support to the
secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for the biennium 1996-1997,3
and the arrangements made for the provision of conference services to the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention and its subsidiary bodies for the biennium 1996-1997,4 as requested in paragraph 10 of its
resolution 50/115 and paragraph 3 of its resolution 51/184;
4. Decides to maintain the arrangements regarding personnel and financial matters established in regard
to the provisions of administrative support to the secretariat of the Convention, for the biennium 1998-1999,5
taking into account the review of the functioning of the institutional linkage called for in its resolution
50/115, and as reiterated in its resolution 51/184;
5. Also decides to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium 1998-1999
the sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies, entailing eight weeks of conferenceservicing
facilities envisaged for that biennium;6
6. Invites the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-third session and following the outcome of the third session of
the Conference of the Parties to the Convention;
7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-third session the sub-item entitled
"Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind".
77th plenary meeting
18 December 1997
2 FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.1.
3 A/51/484, paras. 14-18.
4 Ibid., para. 9.
5 A/52/667, paras. 4-8.
6 Ibid., para. 10.
1 A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex I.
2 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3.
3 FCCC/CP/1998/16/Add.1, decision 1/CP.4.
00 27193 /...
UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/54/222
8 February 2000
Fifty-fourth session
Agenda item 100 (d)
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/54/588/Add.4)]
54/222. Protection of global climate for present and future generations of
mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 50/115 of 20 December 1995, 51/184 of 16 December 1996 and 52/199 of
18 December 1997 and other resolutions relating to the protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind,
Noting with satisfaction that most States and one regional economic integration organization have
ratified or acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,1
Noting that, to date, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change2 has attracted sixteen ratifications, and encouraging necessary action to facilitate the entry into force
of the Kyoto Protocol at the earliest possible date,
Expressing its deep appreciation to the Government of Argentina for hosting the fourth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held from 2 to
14 November 1998, which culminated in the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action,3
A/RES/54/222
Page 2
4 See FCCC/CP/1999/6/Add.1.
5 Ibid., decision 22/CP.5, para. 2.
6 Ibid., para.1.
Noting that the fifth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change was held at Bonn, Germany, from 25 October to 5 November 1999,
Taking note of decision 1/CP.5 adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention at its fifth
session,4 stressing the importance of a successful outcome to the sixth session of the Conference of the
Parties, in particular in reaching decisions on the early and full implementation of the Buenos Aires Plan of
Action, and welcoming, in that decision, the agreement to an intensified negotiating process leading to the
sixth session of the Conference of the Parties,
Welcoming the generous offer of the Government of the Netherlands to host the sixth session of the
Conference of the Parties, and urging the Parties to undertake thorough preparations to advance progress at
that session,
Taking note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session to approve the
continuation of the institutional linkage of the Convention secretariat to the United Nations, subject to review
not later than 31 December 2001, in consultation with the Secretary-General, with a view to making such
modifications as may be desirable by both parties,5
Taking note also of the decision of the Conference of the Parties whereby the General Assembly is
invited to decide, at its fifty-fourth session, on the issue of meeting the Convention’s conference-servicing
expenses from its regular budget, taking into account the views expressed by Member States,6
Noting the oral report of the Secretary-General and the advice on the continuation of the institutional
linkage of the Convention secretariat to the United Nations,
Noting also that, by paragraph 9 of resolution 50/115, the Secretary-General was requested to make the
necessary arrangements to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium 1998-1999
those sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies that the Conference may need to
convene in that period,
1. Encourages Member States that have not ratified or acceded to the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change2 to do so with a view to bringing it into force;
2. Calls upon all States parties to continue to take effective steps to implement their commitments
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,1 in accordance with the principle of
common but differentiated responsibilities;
3. Encourages all countries to work constructively towards advancing the work necessary for the
timely entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol and its implementation;
4. Approves the continuation of the institutional linkage of the Convention secretariat to the United
Nations, as advised by the Secretary-General and approved by the Conference of the Parties at its fifth
session;5
A/RES/54/222
Page 3
7 See United Nations Environment Programme, Convention on Biological Diversity (Environmental Law and
Institution Programme Activity Centre), June 1992.
8 A/49/84/Add.2, annex, appendix II.
5. Encourages the conferences of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity7 and the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in
Africa,8 to examine further appropriate opportunities and measures to strengthen their complementarities and
to improve scientific assessments of ecological linkages between the three conventions;
6. Encourages the secretariats of various environmental and environment-related conventions and
other international organizations, with full respect for the status of the respective convention secretariats and
the autonomous decision-making prerogatives of the conferences of the parties of the conventions concerned,
to strengthen cooperation with a view to facilitating progress in their implementation at the international,
regional and national levels;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to review the functioning of this institutional linkage not later than
31 December 2001, in consultation with the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, with a view to making such modifications as may be considered desirable
by both parties, and to report thereon to the General Assembly;
8. Decides to include in the calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium 2000-2001 the
sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for that biennium, in accordance
with the decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties;
9. Also decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-fifth session the sub-item entitled
“Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind”.
87th plenary meeting
22 December 1999
United Nations A/RES/56/199
General Assembly Distr.: General
15 February 2002
Fifty-sixth session
Agenda item 98 (f)
01 49285
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/56/561/Add.6)]
56/199. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 50/115 of 20 December 1995, 51/184 of 16 December
1996, 52/199 of 18 December 1997 and 54/222 of 22 December 1999, its decision
55/443 of 20 December 2000 and other resolutions relating to the protection of the
global climate for present and future generations of mankind,
Noting that most States and one regional economic integration organization
have ratified or acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change,1
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island States, face
increased risk from the negative impacts of climate change,
Noting that, to date, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change2 has attracted forty-five ratifications,
Expressing its deep appreciation to the Government of Morocco for hosting
the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change at Marrakesh, Morocco, from
29 October to 9 November 2001,
Noting the adoption of the Bonn Agreements3 on the implementation of the
Buenos Aires Plan of Action4 by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, at
the second part of its sixth session, held at Bonn, Germany, from 16 to 27 July 2001,
Expressing its appreciation to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
for its excellent work in preparing the Third Assessment Report, and encouraging
parties to make full use of the information contained therein,
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3.
3 FCCC/CP/2001/5, decision 5/CP.6.
4 FCCC/CP/1998/16/Add.1, decision 1/CP.4.
A/RES/56/199
2
Taking note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties at its sixth session5
to approve the continuation of the current institutional linkage of the secretariat of
the Convention to the United Nations and related administrative arrangements for a
further five-year period, to be reviewed by both the General Assembly and the
Conference of the Parties no later than 31 December 2006,
Taking note also of the report of the Secretary-General on the continuation of
the institutional linkage of the secretariat of the Convention to the United Nations,6
Taking note further of the decision of the Conference of the Parties5 inviting
the General Assembly to decide at its fifty-sixth session on the question of meeting
the conference-servicing expenses of the Convention from its regular budget, taking
into account the views expressed by Member States,
Noting that, by paragraph (c) of its decision 55/443, it decided to include in the
calendar of conferences and meetings for the biennium 2002–2003 the sessions of
the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for the biennium,
in accordance with the decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties,
Taking note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change,7 which was prepared in response to the
invitation of the General Assembly in paragraph (d) of its decision 55/443,
1. Recalls the United Nations Millennium Declaration,8 in which heads of
State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force of
the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change,2 preferably by the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development in 2002, and to embark on the required reduction of
emissions of greenhouse gases, and calls upon States to work cooperatively towards
achieving the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change;1
2. Calls upon all States parties to continue to take effective steps to
implement their commitments under the Convention, in accordance with the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities;
3. Stresses the importance of capacity-building, as well as of developing
and disseminating innovative technologies in respect of key sectors of development,
in particular energy, and of investment in that regard, including through private
sector involvement, market-oriented approaches and supportive public policies, as
well as international cooperation, emphasizes that climate change and its adverse
impacts have to be addressed through cooperation at all levels, and welcomes the
efforts of all parties to implement the Convention;
4. Takes note of the Marrakesh Accords,9 adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
seventh session, complementing the Bonn Agreements3 on the implementation of the
Buenos Aires Plan of Action,4 paving the way for the timely entry into force of the
Kyoto Protocol;
_______________
5 FCCC/CP/2001/5, decision 6/CP.6.
6 A/56/385.
7 See A/56/509.
8 See resolution 55/2.
9 See FCCC/CP/2001/13/Add.1
A/RES/56/199
3
5. Takes note with appreciation of the Marrakesh Ministerial Declaration,9
adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh session as a contribution to
the preparatory process for the World Summit on Sustainable Development;
6. Encourages the conferences of the parties to and the secretariats of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on
Biological Diversity10 and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly
in Africa11 and other international instruments related to the environment and
sustainable development, as well as relevant organizations, especially the United
Nations Environment Programme, including, as appropriate, the involvement of the
Environmental Management Group, to continue their work for enhancing mutual
complementarities with full respect for the status of the secretariats of the
conventions and the autonomous decision-making prerogatives of the conferences of
the parties to the conventions concerned, to strengthen cooperation with a view to
facilitating progress in the implementation of those conventions at the international,
regional and national levels and to report thereon to their respective conferences of
the parties;
7. Approves the continuation of the institutional linkage of the secretariat of
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to the United
Nations, and related administrative arrangements, for a further five-year period;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to review the functioning of that
institutional linkage not later than 31 December 2006, in consultation with the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, with a view to making such modifications as may be considered desirable
by both parties, and to report thereon to the General Assembly;
9. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
10. Invites the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change to report to the General Assembly at its fiftyseventh
session on the work of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention;
11. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-seventh session
the sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of mankind”.
90th plenary meeting
21 December 2001
_______________
10 See United Nations Environment Programme, Convention on Biological Diversity (Environmental Law
and Institution Programme Activity Centre), June 1992.
11 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
United Nations A/RES/57/257
General Assembly Distr.: General
27 February 2003
Fifty-seventh session
Agenda item 87 (c)
02 55630
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/57/532/Add.3)]
57/257. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 54/222 of 22 December 1999, its decision 55/443 of
20 December 2000 and its resolution 56/199 of 21 December 2001 and other
resolutions relating to the protection of the global climate for present and future
generations of mankind,
Noting that most States and one regional economic integration organization
have acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,1
Recalling the provisions of the Convention, including the acknowledgement
that the global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible cooperation by
all countries and their participation in an effective and appropriate international
response, in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and
respective capabilities and their social and economic conditions,
Taking into account the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change and
Sustainable Development, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its eighth session, held at
New Delhi from 23 October to 1 November 2002,
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing
States, face increased risks from the negative impacts of climate change,
Noting that, to date, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change2 has attracted ninety-seven ratifications,
Taking into account the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable
Development3 and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”),4
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3, annex.
3 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
4 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
A/RES/57/257
2
Expressing its deep appreciation to the Government of India for hosting the
eighth session of the Conference of the Parties at New Delhi from 23 October to
1 November 2002,
Taking note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change,5
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration,6 in which heads of State
and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force of the
Kyoto Protocol, preferably by the tenth anniversary of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development in 2002, and to embark on the
required reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases,7
1. Calls upon States to work cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate
objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;1
2. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change2 strongly urge the States that
have not yet done so to ratify it in a timely manner;
3. Takes note of the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change and
Sustainable Development, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its eighth session;
4. Notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and
officers of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, particularly in Africa,8 and the Convention on Biological Diversity,9
and encourages cooperation to promote complementarities among the three
secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
5. Invites the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change to report in a timely manner to the General
Assembly at its fifty-eighth session on the work of the Conference of the Parties;
6. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-eighth session
the sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of mankind”.
78th plenary meeting
20 December 2002
_______________
5 See A/57/359.
6 See resolution 55/2.
7 Ibid., para. 23.
8 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
9 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
United Nations A/RES/58/243
General Assembly Distr.: General
13 February 2004
Fifty-eighth session
Agenda item 94 (f)
03 50910
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 December 2003
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/58/484/Add.6)]
58/243. Protection of global climate for present and
future generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 54/222 of 22 December 1999, its decision 55/443 of
20 December 2000 and its resolutions 56/199 of 21 December 2001 and 57/257 of
20 December 2002 and other resolutions relating to the protection of the global
climate for present and future generations of mankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
their social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development,2
the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”)3 and the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on
Climate Change and Sustainable Development, adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
eighth session, held in New Delhi from 23 October to 1 November 2002,4
Noting that one hundred and eighty-eight States and one regional economic
integration organization have ratified the Convention,
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing
States, face increased risks from the negative impacts of climate change,
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August-4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I,
resolution 1, annex.
3 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
4 FCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.8.
A/RES/58/243
2
Noting the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the
need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter alia,
through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries,
Noting also that, to date, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change5 has attracted one hundred and nineteen
ratifications, including from parties mentioned in annex I to the Convention, who
account for 44.2 per cent of emissions,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration,6 in which heads of State
and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force of the
Kyoto Protocol, preferably by the tenth anniversary of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development in 2002, and to embark on the
required reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases,7
Taking note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the work of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention,8
1. Calls upon States to work cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate
objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;1
2. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change5 strongly urge States that have
not already done so to ratify it in a timely manner;
3. Notes with interest the preparations undertaken for the implementation of
the flexible mechanisms established by the Kyoto Protocol;
4. Notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and
officers of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, Particularly in Africa,9 and the Convention on Biological
Diversity,10 and encourages cooperation to promote complementarities among the
three secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change and its subsidiary bodies in his proposal for the programme budget for the
biennium 2004-2005;
6. Invites the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth
session on the work of the Conference of the Parties;
7. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
_______________
5 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3, annex.
6 See resolution 55/2.
7 Ibid., para. 23.
8 A/58/308.
9 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
10 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
A/RES/58/243
3
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
8. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session the
sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of
mankind”.
79th plenary meeting
23 December 2003
United Nations A/RES/59/234
General Assembly Distr.: General
22 February 2005
Fifty-ninth session
Agenda item 85 (d)
04-49030
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2004
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/59/483/Add.4)]
59/234. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 54/222 of 22 December 1999, its decision 55/443 of
20 December 2000 and its resolutions 56/199 of 21 December 2001, 57/257 of
20 December 2002 and 58/243 of 23 December 2003 and other resolutions relating
to the protection of the global climate for present and future generations of
mankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
their social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development,2
the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”), 3 the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on
Climate Change and Sustainable Development, adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
eighth session, held in New Delhi from 23 October to 1 November 2002,4 and the
outcome of the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties held in Milan, Italy,
from 1 to 12 December 2003,5
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–
4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I,
resolution 1, annex.
3 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
4 FCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.8.
5 FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1 and 2.
A/RES/59/234
2
Noting the review of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States,6
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing
States, face increased risks from the negative impacts of climate change,
Noting that one hundred and eighty-nine States and one regional economic
integration organization have ratified the Convention,
Noting also that, to date, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change 7 has attracted one hundred and twenty-eight
ratifications, including from parties mentioned in annex I to the Convention, which
account for 61.6 per cent of emissions,
Noting further the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
and the need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter
alia, through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 8 in which Heads of
State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force of
the Kyoto Protocol, preferably by the tenth anniversary of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development in 2002, and to embark on the
required reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases,9
Taking note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the work of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention,10
1. Calls upon States to work cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate
objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;1
2. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change7 strongly urge States that have
not yet done so to ratify it in a timely manner;
3. Notes also that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol welcome its
ratification by the Russian Federation, which satisfies the requirements for the
Kyoto Protocol to enter into force;
4. Encourages States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to continue their
preparations for its entry into force;
5. Notes with interest the preparations undertaken for the implementation of
the flexible mechanisms established by the Kyoto Protocol;
6. Takes note of the decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its
ninth session,5 and calls for their implementation;
_______________
6 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
7 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3, annex.
8 See resolution 55/2.
9 Ibid., para. 23.
10 A/59/197, sect. I.
A/RES/59/234
3
7. Notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and offices
of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
Africa,11 and the Convention on Biological Diversity,12 and encourages cooperation
to promote complementarities among the three secretariats while respecting their
independent legal status;
8. Invites the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change to report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth
session on the work of the Conference of the Parties;
9. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
10. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixtieth session the
sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of
mankind”.
75th plenary meeting
22 December 2004
_______________
11 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
12 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
United Nations A/RES/60/197
General Assembly Distr.: General
8 March 2006
Sixtieth session
Agenda item 52 (d)
05-49942
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2005
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/60/488/Add.4)]
60/197. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 54/222 of 22 December 1999, its decision 55/443 of
20 December 2000 and its resolutions 56/199 of 21 December 2001, 57/257 of
20 December 2002, 58/243 of 23 December 2003 and 59/234 of 22 December 2004
and other resolutions relating to the protection of the global climate for present and
future generations of mankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
their social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development,2
the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”), 3 the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on
Climate Change and Sustainable Development, adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
eighth session, held in New Delhi from 23 October to 1 November 2002, 4 the
outcome of the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties held in Milan, Italy,
from 1 to 12 December 2003, 5 and the outcome of the tenth session of the
Conference of the Parties, held in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 December 2004,6
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–
4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I,
resolution 1, annex.
3 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
4 FCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.8.
5 FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1 and 2.
6 FCCC/CP/2004/10/Add.1 and 2.
A/RES/60/197
2
Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome,7
Reaffirming the Mauritius Declaration 8 and the Mauritius Strategy for the
Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States,9
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing
States, face increased risks from the negative effects of climate change, and
stressing the need to address adaptation needs relating to such effects,
Noting that one hundred and eighty-nine States and one regional economic
integration organization have ratified the Convention,
Noting also that, to date, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change10 has attracted one hundred and fifty-six ratifications,
including from parties mentioned in annex I to the Convention, which account for
61.6 per cent of emissions,
Noting further the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
and the need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter
alia, through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 11 in which Heads of
State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force of
the Kyoto Protocol and to embark on the required reduction in emissions of
greenhouse gases,12
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system,
Taking note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the work of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention,13
1. Calls upon States to work cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate
objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;1
2. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change10 welcome the entry into force
of the Kyoto Protocol on 16 February 2005 and strongly urge States that have not
yet done so to ratify it in a timely manner;
3. Notes with interest the activities undertaken under the flexible
mechanisms established by the Kyoto Protocol;
_______________
7 See resolution 60/1.
8 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
9 Ibid., annex II.
10 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3, annex.
11 See resolution 55/2.
12 Ibid., para. 23.
13 A/60/171, sect. I.
A/RES/60/197
3
4. Takes note of the decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its
tenth session,6 and calls for their implementation;
5. Notes the importance of the eleventh session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the
first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to
the Kyoto Protocol, held in Montreal, Canada, from 28 November to 9 December
2005;
6. Also notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and
offices of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, Particularly in Africa 14 and the Convention on Biological
Diversity, 15 and encourages cooperation to promote complementarities among the
three secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change and its subsidiary bodies in his proposal for the programme budget for the
biennium 2006–2007;
8. Invites the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session on the
work of the Conference of the Parties;
9. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
10. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-first session the
sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of
mankind”.
68th plenary meeting
22 December 2005
_______________
14 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
15 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
United Nations A/RES/61/201
General Assembly Distr.: General
16 February 2007
Sixty-first session
Agenda item 53 (d)
06-50643
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2006
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/61/422/Add.4)]
61/201. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 54/222 of 22 December 1999, its decision 55/443 of
20 December 2000 and its resolutions 56/199 of 21 December 2001, 57/257 of
20 December 2002, 58/243 of 23 December 2003, 59/234 of 22 December 2004 and
60/197 of 22 December 2005 and other resolutions relating to the protection of the
global climate for present and future generations of mankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
their social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the United Nations Millennium Declaration,2 in which Heads
of State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force
of the Kyoto Protocol and to embark on the required reduction in emissions of
greenhouse gases,3
Recalling the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, 4 the
Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”), 5 the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on
Climate Change and Sustainable Development, adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
eighth session, held in New Delhi from 23 October to 1 November 2002, 6 the
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See resolution 55/2.
3 Ibid., para. 23.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August-4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I,
resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 FCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.8.
A/RES/61/201
2
outcome of the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties, held in Milan, Italy,
from 1 to 12 December 2003,7 the outcome of the tenth session of the Conference of
the Parties, held in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 December 2004,8 and the outcome of
the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties and the first session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol, held in Montreal, Canada, from 28 November to 10 December 2005,9
Reaffirming the Mauritius Declaration 10 and the Mauritius Strategy for the
Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States,11
Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome,12
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing
States, face increased risks from the negative effects of climate change, and
stressing the need to address adaptation needs relating to such effects,
Noting that one hundred and eighty-nine States and one regional economic
integration organization have ratified the Convention,
Noting also that, to date, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change13 has attracted one hundred and sixty-six ratifications,
including from parties mentioned in annex I to the Convention, which account for
61.6 per cent of emissions,
Noting further the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
and the need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter
alia, through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries, and noting the pending release of
the fourth assessment report,
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system,
Taking note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the work of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention,14
1. Calls upon States to work cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate
objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;1
2. Notes the commitments, initiatives and processes undertaken within the
framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as
_______________
7 FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1 and 2.
8 FCCC/CP/2004/10/Add.1 and 2.
9 FCCC/CP/2005/5/Add.1.
10 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10-14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
11 Ibid., annex II.
12 See resolution 60/1.
13 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3, annex.
14 A/61/225.
A/RES/61/201
3
well as the Kyoto Protocol thereto13 for those which are parties to it, to meet the
ultimate objective of the Convention;
3. Also notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol welcome the
entry into force of the Protocol on 16 February 2005 and strongly urge States that
have not yet done so to ratify it in a timely manner;
4. Stresses that the seriousness of climate change argues for the implementation
of the provisions of the Framework Convention;
5. Notes with interest the activities undertaken under the flexible
mechanisms established by the Kyoto Protocol;
6. Takes note of the outcome of the eleventh9 and twelfth sessions15 of the
Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention and the first9 and second15
sessions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol;
7. Takes note with appreciation of the outcome of the fourth replenishment
of the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund, including the pledges made by the
international community to the Trust Fund at the third Global Environment Facility
Assembly, held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 29 and 30 August 2006, and stresses
the importance of the fulfilment of the commitments;
8. Also takes note with appreciation of the hosting by the Government of
Kenya of the twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework
Convention and the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, held in Nairobi from 6 to
17 November 2006, and further takes note with appreciation of the offer of the
Government of Indonesia to host the thirteenth session of the Conference of the
Parties and the third session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to
be held in Bali from 3 to 14 December 2007;
9. Notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and
offices of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the Framework Convention, the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing
Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa,16 and the Convention
on Biological Diversity,17 and encourages cooperation to promote complementarities
among the three secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
10. Endorses the continuation of the institutional linkage of the secretariat of
the Framework Convention to the United Nations until such time as a review is
deemed necessary by the Conference of the Parties or the General Assembly;
11. Invites the secretariat of the Framework Convention to report to the
General Assembly at its sixty-second session on the work of the Conference of the
Parties;
12. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
_______________
15 FCCC/CP/2006/4-FCCC/KP/CMP/2006/8.
16 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
17 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
A/RES/61/201
4
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
13. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-second session
the sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of mankind”.
83rd plenary meeting
20 December 2006
United Nations A/RES/62/86
General Assembly Distr.: General
31 January 2008
Sixty-second session
Agenda item 54 (d)
07-46893
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 2007
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/62/419/Add.4)]
62/86. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of mankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988 and 54/222 of
22 December 1999, its decision 55/443 of 20 December 2000 and its resolutions
56/199 of 21 December 2001, 57/257 of 20 December 2002, 58/243 of 23 December
2003, 59/234 of 22 December 2004, 60/197 of 22 December 2005 and 61/201 of
20 December 2006 and other resolutions relating to the protection of the global
climate for present and future generations of mankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
their social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the United Nations Millennium Declaration,2 in which Heads
of State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force
of the Kyoto Protocol and to embark on the required reduction in emissions of
greenhouse gases,3
Recalling the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, 4 the
Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”), 5 the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on
Climate Change and Sustainable Development, adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See resolution 55/2.
3 Ibid., para. 23.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–
4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution
1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
A/RES/62/86
2
eighth session, held in New Delhi from 23 October to 1 November 2002, 6 the
outcome of the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties, held in Milan, Italy,
from 1 to 12 December 2003,7 the outcome of the tenth session of the Conference of
the Parties, held in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 December 2004,8 the outcome of the
eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties and the first session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol, held in Montreal, Canada, from 28 November to 10 December 2005,9 and
the outcome of the twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties and the second
session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol, held in Nairobi from 6 to 17 November 2006,10
Reaffirming the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States, 11 the Mauritius Declaration 12 and the Mauritius
Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,13
Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome,14
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing
States, face increased risks from the negative effects of climate change, and
stressing the need to address adaptation needs relating to such effects,
Noting that, to date, there are one hundred and ninety-two parties to the
Convention, including one hundred and ninety-one States and one regional
economic integration organization,
Noting also that, currently, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change 15 has attracted one hundred and
seventy-six ratifications, accessions, acceptances or approvals, including by thirtyeight
parties included in annex I to the Convention,
Noting further the amendment to annex B to the Kyoto Protocol,16
Noting the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the
need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter alia,
through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries,
_______________
6 FCCC/CP/2002/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.8.
7 FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1 and 2.
8 FCCC/CP/2004/10/Add.1 and 2.
9 FCCC/CP/2005/5/Add.1.
10 FCCC/CP/2006/5 and Add.1.
11 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
12 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10-14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
13 Ibid., annex II.
14 See resolution 60/1.
15 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3, annex.
16 FCCC/KP/CMP/2006/10/Add.1, decision 10/CMP.2.
A/RES/62/86
3
Noting also the significance of the scientific findings of the fourth assessment
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which contribute
positively to the discussions under the Convention and the understanding of the
phenomenon of climate change, including its impacts and risks,
Noting with appreciation the initiative of the President of the General
Assembly at its sixty-first session, in having convened the informal thematic debate
on “Climate change as a global challenge” from 31 July to 2 August 2007,
Noting also with appreciation the initiative of the Secretary-General in having
convened the informal high-level event entitled “The future in our hands: addressing
the leadership challenge of climate change” on 24 September 2007, aimed at
providing impetus and political support to the Convention and raising awareness of
the global challenge of climate change,
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system,
Taking note of the note by the Secretary-General17 transmitting the report of
the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change,18
1. Stresses the seriousness of climate change, and calls upon States to work
cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate objective of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change1 through the implementation of its
provisions;
2. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change15 welcome the entry into force
of the Protocol on 16 February 2005 and strongly urge States that have not yet done
so to ratify it in a timely manner;
3. Takes note of the outcome of the eleventh9 and twelfth10 sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention and the first9 and second10
sessions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol;
4. Takes note with appreciation of the offer of the Government of Indonesia
to host the thirteenth session of the Conference of the Parties and the third session
of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Bali from 3 to
14 December 2007, and looks forward to a successful outcome, including the
advancement of negotiations on the way forward;
5. Also takes note with appreciation of the offer of the Government of
Poland to host the fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties and the fourth
session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Poznań
from 1 to 12 December 2008;
6. Recognizes that climate change poses serious risks and challenges to all
countries, particularly to developing countries, especially the least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and
countries in Africa, including those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse
_______________
17 A/62/276.
18 Ibid., annex I.
A/RES/62/86
4
effects of climate change, and calls upon States to take urgent global action to
address climate change in accordance with the principles identified in the
Framework Convention, including the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities, and, in this regard, urges all countries to
fully implement their commitments under the Convention, to take effective and
concrete actions and measures at all levels, and to enhance international cooperation
in the framework of the Convention;
7. Also recognizes the need to provide financial and technical resources, as
well as capacity-building and access to and transfer of technology, to assist those
developing countries adversely affected by climate change;
8. Reaffirms that efforts to address climate change in a manner that
enhances the sustainable development and sustained economic growth of the
developing countries and the eradication of poverty should be carried out through
promoting the integration of the three components of sustainable development,
namely, economic development, social development and environmental protection,
as interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars, in an integrated, coordinated and
balanced manner;
9. Calls upon the international community to fulfil the commitments made
during the fourth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund;
10. Notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and
offices of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the Framework Convention, the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing
Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa,19 and the Convention
on Biological Diversity,20 and encourages cooperation to promote complementarities
among the three secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention and its subsidiary bodies in
his proposal for the programme budget for the biennium 2008–2009;
12. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
13. Invites the secretariat of the Framework Convention to report, through
the Secretary-General, to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session on the work
of the Conference of the Parties;
14. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-third session the
sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of
mankind”.
65th plenary meeting
10 December 2007
_______________
19 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
20 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
United Nations A/RES/63/32*
General Assembly Distr.: General
3 April 2009
Sixty-third session
Agenda item 49 (d)
08-47271*
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 26 November 2008
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/63/414/Add.4)]
63/32. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 61/201 of 20 December 2006 and 62/86 of 10 December 2007 and other
resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of the global climate for present
and future generations of mankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,0F
1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
their social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the United Nations Millennium Declaration,1F
2 in which Heads
of State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force
of the Kyoto Protocol and to embark on the required reduction in emissions of
greenhouse gases,2F
3
Recalling the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development,3F
4 the
Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”),4F
5 the outcome of the thirteenth session of
the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the third session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
_______________
* Reissued for technical reasons.
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See resolution 55/2.
3 Ibid., para. 23.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
A/RES/63/32
2
Protocol, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 3 to 15 December 2007,5F
6 and the outcomes
of all previous sessions,
Reaffirming the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States,6F
7 the Mauritius Declaration7F
8 and the Mauritius
Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,8F
9
Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome,9F
10
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing
States, face increased risks from the negative effects of climate change, and
stressing the need to address adaptation needs relating to such effects,
Noting that, to date, there are one hundred and ninety-two parties to the
Convention, including one hundred and ninety-one States and one regional
economic integration organization,
Noting also that, currently, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change10F
11 has attracted one hundred and eightythree
ratifications, accessions, acceptances or approvals, including by thirty-nine
parties included in annex I to the Convention,
Noting further the amendment to annex B to the Kyoto Protocol,1F
12
Noting the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the
need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter alia,
through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries,
Noting also the significance of the scientific findings of the fourth assessment
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, providing an integrated
scientific, technical and socio-economic perspective on relevant issues and
contributing positively to the discussions under the Convention and the
understanding of the phenomenon of climate change, including its impacts and
risks,
Reaffirming that economic and social development and poverty eradication are
global priorities,
Recognizing that deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the
ultimate objective of the Convention,
_______________
6 FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/9/Add.1 and 2.
7 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
8 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
9 Ibid., annex II.
10 See resolution 60/1.
11 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2303, No. 30822.
12 FCCC/KP/CMP/2006/10/Add.1, decision 10/CMP.2.
A/RES/63/32
3
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system,
Noting with appreciation the efforts of the Secretary-General in raising
awareness of the need to respond to the global challenge of climate change,
Taking note of the Beijing High-level Conference on Climate Change:
Technology Development and Technology Transfer, held in Beijing on 7 and
8 November 2008, and the third World Climate Conference on the theme “Climate
prediction and information for decision-making”, to be held in Geneva from
31 August to 4 September 2009,
Acknowledging women as key actors in the efforts towards sustainable
development, and recognizing that a gender perspective can contribute to efforts to
address climate change,
Taking note of the note by the Secretary-General12F
13 transmitting the report of
the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change,13F
14
1. Stresses the seriousness of climate change, and calls upon States to work
cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate objective of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change0H
1 through the urgent implementation of
its provisions;
2. Urges parties to the Convention, and invites parties to the Kyoto Protocol
to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,1H
11 to continue to
make use of the information contained in the fourth assessment report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their work;
3. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol welcome the entry
into force of the Protocol on 16 February 2005 and strongly urge States that have
not yet done so to ratify it in a timely manner;
4. Takes note of the outcome of the thirteenth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention and the third session of the Conference of the Parties
serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted by the
Government of Indonesia from 3 to 15 December 2007;2H
6
5. Welcomes the decisions adopted during the thirteenth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention, including the Bali Action Plan,14F
15 by
which the Conference of the Parties decided to launch a comprehensive process
aimed at enabling the full, effective and sustained implementation of the Convention
through long-term cooperative action, now, up to and beyond 2012, in order to reach
an agreed outcome and adopt a decision at the fifteenth session of the Conference of
the Parties, and takes note of the work under way in the open-ended ad hoc working
group of parties to the Kyoto Protocol established under decision 1/CMP.1;15F
16
_______________
13 A/63/294.
14 Ibid., sect. I.
15 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1, decision 1/CP.13.
16 Entitled “Consideration of commitments for subsequent periods for Parties included in Annex I to the
Convention under article 3, paragraph 9, of the Kyoto Protocol”, as contained in document
FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/8/Add.1.
A/RES/63/32
4
6. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol welcome the
launch of the Adaptation Fund during the third session of the Conference of the
Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol,16F
17 and notes also
that developing-country parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are particularly
vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change are eligible for funding from the
Adaptation Fund to assist them in meeting the costs of adaptation and look forward
to its early operationalization;
7. Takes note with appreciation of the offer of the Government of Poland to
host the fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties and the fourth session of
the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Poznań, from 1 to
12 December 2008, and looks forward to a successful outcome, including
advancement towards an agreed outcome in 2009;
8. Also takes note with appreciation, in this regard, of the offer of the
Government of Denmark to host the fifteenth session of the Conference of the
Parties and the fifth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to
be held in Copenhagen from 30 November to 11 December 2009;
9. Recognizes that climate change poses serious risks and challenges to all
countries, particularly to developing countries, especially the least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and
countries in Africa, including those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse
effects of climate change, and calls upon States to take urgent global action to
address climate change in accordance with the principles identified in the
Convention, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities, and, in this regard, urges all countries to fully implement
their commitments under the Convention, to take effective and concrete actions and
measures at all levels, and to enhance international cooperation in the framework of
the Convention;
10. Reaffirms that efforts to address climate change in a manner that
enhances the sustainable development and sustained economic growth of the
developing countries and the eradication of poverty should be carried out through
promoting the integration of the three components of sustainable development,
namely, economic development, social development and environmental protection,
as interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars, in an integrated, coordinated and
balanced manner;
11. Recognizes the need to provide financial and technical resources, as well
as capacity-building and access to and transfer of technology, to assist those
developing countries adversely affected by climate change;
12. Calls upon the international community to fulfil the commitments made
during the fourth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund;
13. Notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and
offices of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the Framework Convention, the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing
Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa,17F
18 and the Convention
_______________
17 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/9/Add.1, decision 1/CMP.3.
18 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
A/RES/63/32
5
on Biological Diversity,18F
19 and encourages cooperation to promote complementarities
among the three secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
14. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
15. Invites the secretariat of the Framework Convention to report, through
the Secretary-General, to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session on the
work of the Conference of the Parties;
16. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-fourth session
the sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future
generations”.
60th plenary meeting
26 November 2008
_______________
19 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
United Nations A/RES/64/73
General Assembly Distr.: General
29 January 2010
Sixty-fourth session
Agenda item 53 (d)
09-46621
*0946621* Please rec cle ♲
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2009
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/64/420/Add.4)]
64/73. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008 and resolutions and
decisions relating to the protection of the global climate for present and future
generations of mankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,0F
1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their participation
in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance with their
common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and their
social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the United Nations Millennium Declaration,1F
2 in which Heads
of State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force
of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change2F
3 and to embark on the required reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases,
Recalling the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development,3F
4 the
Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”),4F
5 the outcome of the thirteenth session of
the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the third session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 3 to 15 December 2007,5F
6 the outcome of the
fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the fourth
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See resolution 55/2.
3 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2303, No. 30822.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–4 September
2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/9/Add.1 and 2.
A/RES/64/73
2
session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol, held in Poznan, Poland, from 1 to 12 December 2008,6F
7 and the
outcomes of all previous sessions,
Reaffirming the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States,7F
8 the Mauritius Declaration8F
9 and the Mauritius Strategy
for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States,9F
10
Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome,10F
11
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing countries,
including the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small
island developing States and countries in Africa, face increased risks from the
adverse effects of climate change, and stressing the need to address adaptation needs
relating to such effects,
Noting that, to date, there are one hundred and ninety-four parties to the
Convention, including one hundred and ninety-three States and one regional
economic integration organization,
Noting also that, currently, the Kyoto Protocol has attracted one hundred and
ninety ratifications, accessions, acceptances or approvals, including by thirty-nine
parties included in annex I to the Convention,
Noting further the amendment to annex B to the Kyoto Protocol,1F
12
Noting the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the
need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter alia,
through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries,
Noting also the significance of the scientific findings of the fourth assessment
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, providing an integrated
scientific, technical and socio-economic perspective on relevant issues and
contributing positively to the discussions under the Convention and the
understanding of the phenomenon of climate change, including its impacts and
risks,
Reaffirming that economic and social development and poverty eradication are
global priorities,
Recognizing that deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the
ultimate objective of the Convention,
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
_______________
7 See FCCC/CP/2008/7 and Add.1 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2008/11 and Add.1 and 2.
8 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
9 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
10 Ibid., annex II.
11 See resolution 60/1.
12 FCCC/KP/CMP/2006/10/Add.1, decision 10/CMP.2, annex.
A/RES/64/73
3
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, and also
reaffirming that such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to
allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a
sustainable manner,
Reaffirming the financial obligations of developed country parties and other
developed parties included in annex II under the Convention and the Kyoto
Protocol,
Taking note of the initiative by the Secretary-General in convening a summit
on climate change on 22 September 2009, and welcoming the determination
reiterated by Member States on that occasion to urgently address the challenge of
climate change,
Taking note also of the holding of World Climate Conference 3 in Geneva
from 31 August to 4 September 2009 and the holding by the Government of
Indonesia of the World Ocean Conference in Manado from 11 to 15 May 2009,
Taking note further of the high-level conference on “Climate Change: Technology
Development and Transfer”, held in New Delhi on 22 and 23 October 2009,
Acknowledging women as key actors in the efforts towards sustainable
development, and recognizing that a gender perspective can contribute to efforts to
address climate change,
Taking note of the note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the
Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change,12F
13
1. Stresses the seriousness of climate change, and calls upon States to work
cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate objective of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change1 through the urgent implementation of
its provisions;
2. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,3 welcome the entry into force
of the Protocol on 16 February 2005, and strongly urge States that have not yet done
so to ratify it in a timely manner;
3. Takes note of the outcome of the fourteenth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention and the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties
serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted by the
Government of Poland from 1 to 12 December 2008;7
4. Takes note with appreciation of the offer of the Government of Denmark
to host the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and
the fifth session of the Conference of Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to
the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Copenhagen from 7 to 18 December 2009;
5. Notes the ongoing parallel work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Longterm
Cooperative Action under the Convention and the Ad Hoc Working Group on
Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol, and that the
respective parties to the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol call for the completion
of this work;
_______________
13 See A/64/202, chap. I.
A/RES/64/73
4
6. Encourages Member States to approach Copenhagen with ambition,
optimism and determination, with a view to making the United Nations Climate
Change Conference a success;
7. Takes note with appreciation, in this regard, of the offer of the Government
of Mexico to host the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention and the sixth session of the Conference of Parties serving as the
Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Mexico City in 2010;
8. Urges parties to the Convention, and invites parties to the Kyoto Protocol
to the Convention, to continue to make use of the information contained in the
fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their
work;
9. Recognizes that climate change poses serious risks and challenges to all
countries, particularly developing countries, especially the least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and
countries in Africa, including those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse
effects of climate change, and calls upon States to take urgent global action to
address climate change in accordance with the principles identified in the
Convention, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities, and in this regard urges all countries to fully implement
their commitments under the Convention, to take effective and concrete actions and
measures at all levels and to enhance international cooperation in the framework of
the Convention;
10. Reaffirms that efforts to address climate change in a manner that
enhances the sustainable development and sustained economic growth of the
developing countries and the eradication of poverty should be carried out by
promoting the integration of the three components of sustainable development,
namely, economic development, social development and environmental protection,
as interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars, in an integrated, coordinated and
balanced manner;
11. Recognizes the urgency of providing financial and technical resources, as
well as capacity-building and access to and transfer of technology, to assist those
developing countries adversely affected by climate change;
12. Invites the international community to fulfil the commitments made
during the fourth replenishment and to secure a successful fifth replenishment of the
Global Environment Facility Trust Fund, without prejudice to ongoing discussions
on financial mechanisms under the Convention;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary bodies in his proposal
for the programme budget for the biennium 2010–2011;
14. Notes the ongoing work of the liaison group of the secretariats and
offices of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the Framework Convention, the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious
Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa,13F
14 and the Convention on
_______________
14 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
A/RES/64/73
5
Biological Diversity,14F
15 and encourages close cooperation to promote complementarities
among the three secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
15. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and the Commission on Sustainable
Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing countries at
those meetings;
16. Invites the secretariat of the Framework Convention to report, through
the Secretary-General, to the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session on the work
of the Conference of the Parties;
17. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-fifth session the
sub-item entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of
humankind”.
59th plenary meeting
7 December 2009
_______________
15 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
United Nations A/RES/65/159
General Assembly Distr.: General
4 March 2011
Sixty-fifth session
Agenda item 20 (d)
10-52208
*1052208* Please rec cle ♲
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2010
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/65/436/Add.4)]
65/159. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008 and 64/73 of
7 December 2009 and other resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of
the global climate for present and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,0F
1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
their social and economic conditions,
Recalling further the United Nations Millennium Declaration,1F
2 in which Heads
of State and Government resolved to make every effort to ensure the entry into force
of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change2F
3 and to embark on the required reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases,
Recalling the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development3F
4 and the
Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”),4F
5
Recalling also the 2005 World Summit Outcome,5F
6
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See resolution 55/2.
3 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2303, No. 30822.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–4 September
2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 See resolution 60/1.
A/RES/65/159
2
Recalling further the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on
the Millennium Development Goals and its outcome document,6F
7
Recalling the outcome of the thirteenth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention and of the third session of the Conference of the Parties
serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, held in Bali, Indonesia,
from 3 to 15 December 2007,7F
8 and noting the outcomes of all previous sessions,
Reaffirming the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States,8F
9 the Mauritius Declaration9F
10 and the Mauritius
Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,10F
11
Remaining deeply concerned that all countries, in particular developing
countries, including the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries,
small island developing States and countries in Africa, face increased risks from the
adverse effects of climate change, and stressing the need to address adaptation needs
relating to such effects,
Recognizing that low-lying and other small island countries, countries with
low-lying coastal, arid and semi-arid areas or areas liable to floods, drought and
desertification and developing countries with fragile mountainous ecosystems are
particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change,
Noting that, to date, there are one hundred and ninety-four parties to the
Convention, including one hundred and ninety-three States and one regional
economic integration organization,
Noting also that, currently, the Kyoto Protocol has attracted one hundred and
ninety-two ratifications, accessions, acceptances or approvals, including by fortyone
of the parties included in annex I to the Convention,
Noting further the amendment to annex B to the Kyoto Protocol,1F
12
Noting the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the
need to build and enhance scientific and technological capabilities, inter alia,
through continuing support to the Panel for the exchange of scientific data and
information, especially in developing countries,
Noting also the significance of the scientific findings of the fourth assessment
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,12F
13 which provide an
integrated scientific, technical and socio-economic perspective on relevant issues
and contribute positively to the discussions under the Convention and the
understanding of the phenomenon of climate change, including its impacts and
risks,
_______________
7 See resolution 65/1.
8 FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/9/Add.1 and 2.
9 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
10 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
11 Ibid., annex II.
12 FCCC/KP/CMP/2006/10/Add.1, decision 10/CMP.2, annex.
13 Climate Change 2007 (Cambridge, United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press, 2007), four volumes.
A/RES/65/159
3
Reaffirming that poverty eradication and sustainable development are global
priorities,
Recognizing that deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the
ultimate objective of the Convention,
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, and also
reaffirming that such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to
allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a
sustainable manner,
Reaffirming the financial obligations of developed country parties and other
developed parties included in annex II to the Convention under the Convention and
the Kyoto Protocol,
Acknowledging women as key actors in the efforts towards sustainable
development, and recognizing that a gender perspective can contribute to efforts to
address climate change,
Taking note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the United Nations Climate Change
Conference, Copenhagen, 2009, and its follow-up,13F
14
1. Recognizes the urgency of addressing and the seriousness of the
challenge of climate change, and calls upon States to show strong political will in
working cooperatively towards achieving the ultimate objective of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change0H
1 through the urgent
implementation of its provisions;
2. Notes that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change1H
3 welcome the entry into force
of the Protocol on 16 February 2005, and strongly urges States that have not yet
done so to ratify the Protocol in a timely manner;
3. Takes note of the outcome of the fifteenth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention and of the fifth session of the Conference of the
Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted by the
Government of Denmark from 7 to 19 December 2009;14F
15
4. Notes with appreciation that the Government of Mexico hosted the
sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the sixth
session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol in Cancun from 29 November to 10 December 2010;
5. Notes the ongoing parallel work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Longterm
Cooperative Action under the Convention and of the Ad Hoc Working Group
on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol, in
accordance with their respective mandates, and that the respective parties to the
Convention and the Protocol call for the completion of this work;
_______________
14 A/65/294, sect. I.
15 FCCC/CP/2009/11/Add.1 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2009/21/Add.1.
A/RES/65/159
4
6. Encourages Member States to approach the United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Cancun with optimism and determination, with a view to
achieving a substantive, balanced and ambitious outcome of the sixteenth session of
the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and of the sixth session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol;
7. Notes with appreciation, in this regard, the offer of the Government of
South Africa to host the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention and the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in 2011;
8. Urges parties to the Convention, and invites parties to the Kyoto
Protocol, to continue to make use of the information contained in the fourth
assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change2H
13 in their
work;
9. Recognizes that climate change poses serious risks and challenges to all
countries, particularly developing countries, especially the least developed countries,
landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and countries in
Africa, including those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of
climate change, calls upon States to take urgent global action to address climate
change in accordance with the principles identified in the Convention, including the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities,
and in this regard urges all countries to fully implement their commitments under
the Convention, to take effective and concrete actions and measures at all levels and
to enhance international cooperation within the framework of the Convention;
10. Reaffirms that efforts to address climate change in a manner that enhances
the sustainable development and sustained economic growth of developing countries
and the eradication of poverty should be carried out by promoting the integration of
the three components of sustainable development, namely, economic development,
social development and environmental protection, as interdependent and mutually
reinforcing pillars, in an integrated, coordinated and balanced manner;
11. Recognizes the urgency of providing financial and technical resources, as
well as capacity-building and access to and transfer of technology, to assist those
developing countries adversely affected by climate change;
12. Notes the ongoing work of the Joint Liaison Group of the secretariats and
offices of the relevant subsidiary bodies of the Framework Convention, the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious
Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa,15F
16 and the Convention on
Biological Diversity,16F
17 and encourages close cooperation to promote complementarities
among the three secretariats while respecting their independent legal status;
13. Invites the conferences of the parties to the multilateral environmental
conventions, when setting the dates of their meetings, to take into consideration the
schedule of meetings of the General Assembly and of the Commission on
Sustainable Development so as to ensure the adequate representation of developing
countries at those meetings;
_______________
16 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
17 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
A/RES/65/159
5
14. Invites the secretariat of the Framework Convention to report, through
the Secretary-General, to the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session on the
work of the Conference of the Parties;
15. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-sixth session,
under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled “Protection
of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
69th plenary meeting
20 December 2010
United Nations A/RES/66/200
General Assembly Distr.: General
13 March 2012
Sixty-sixth session
Agenda item 19 (d)
11-47082
*1147082*
Please rec cle ♲
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2011
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/66/440/Add.4)]
66/200. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of
7 December 2009 and 65/159 of 20 December 2010 and other resolutions and
decisions relating to the protection of the global climate for present and future
generations of humankind,
Recalling also the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change,1
Recalling further the United Nations Millennium Declaration,2 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development 3 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (“Johannesburg Plan of Implementation”),4
the 2005 World Summit Outcome, 5 the outcome of the thirteenth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention and of the
third session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 3 to 15 December 2007,6 and
the outcomes of all the sessions, the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States, 7 the Mauritius Declaration8 and
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See resolution 55/2.
3 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
4 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
5 See resolution 60/1.
6 FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/9/Add.1 and 2.
7 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
8 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
A/RES/66/200
2
the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 9 and the
Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020,
adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries,
held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011, 10
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, and also
reaffirming that such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to
allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a
sustainable manner,
Reaffirming the financial obligations of developed country parties and other
developed parties included in annex II to the Convention under the Convention and
the Kyoto Protocol,
1. Recalls the outcome of the sixteenth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and of the
sixth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted in Cancun, Mexico, by the Government of Mexico
from 29 November to 10 December 2010;11
2. Recognizes the need to build on the existing political momentum with a
view to further advancing climate change negotiations;
3. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the United Nations Climate Change
Conference and its follow-up;12
4. Underlines the importance of achieving an ambitious, substantive,
holistic and balanced outcome through the ongoing negotiations at the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention and the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol;
5. Notes with appreciation that the Government of South Africa hosted the
seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the
seventh session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011;
6. Notes the ongoing preparatory process for the United Nations Conference
on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012;
7. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, through the Secretary-
General, to the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session on the work of the
Conference of the Parties;
_______________
9 Ibid., annex II.
10 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul, Turkey,
9–13 May 2011 (United Nations publication, Sales No. 11.II.A.1), chap. II.
11 FCCC/CP/2010/7/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2010/12/Add.1 and 2.
12 A/66/291, sect. I.
A/RES/66/200
3
8. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary bodies in his proposal
for the programme budget for the biennium 2012–2013;
9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-seventh session,
under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled “Protection
of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
91st plenary meeting
22 December 2011
United Nations A/RES/67/210
General Assembly Distr.: General
12 March 2013
Sixty-seventh session
Agenda item 20 (d)
12-49120
*1249120* Please recycle
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 21 December 2012
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/67/437/Add.4)]
67/210. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of
7 December 2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010 and 66/200 of 22 December 2011
and other resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of the global climate
for present and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,1 including the acknowledgement that the global nature of climate
change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their
participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance
with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and
social and economic conditions,
Acknowledging that the developed country parties must take the lead in
combating climate change and its adverse effects,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 2 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development 3 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation),4 the 2005 World Summit Outcome,5 the outcome of the thirteenth
session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention and of the third session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 3 to
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 Resolution 55/2.
3 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
4 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
5 Resolution 60/1.
A/RES/67/210 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
2/4
15 December 2007,6 and the outcomes of all the sessions, the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,7 the Mauritius
Declaration 8 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States, 9 the political declaration on Africa’s development needs, 10 the United
Nations Declaration on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development 11 and the
Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011–2020,
adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries,
held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011,12
Recalling also the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012,
entitled “The future we want”,13
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention,
namely, to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, and also
reaffirming that such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to
allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a
sustainable manner,
Reaffirming also the financial obligations of developed country parties and
other developed parties included in annex II to the Convention under the
Convention and the Kyoto Protocol,14
Reaffirming further that the Convention has a key role in addressing climate
change,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the outcome of the seventeenth session
of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change and of the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted by the Government of
South Africa in Durban, from 28 November to 11 December 2011;15
2. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our
time, expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to
rise globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing increased impacts, including persistent drought and extreme weather
_______________
6 FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2007/9/Add.1 and 2.
7 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
8 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
9 Ibid., annex II.
10 Resolution 63/1.
11 Resolution 57/2.
12 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul, Turkey,
9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
13 Resolution 66/288, annex.
14 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2303, No. 30822.
15 FCCC/CP/2011/9/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2011/10/Add.1 and 2.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/67/210
3/4
events, sea-level rise, coastal erosion and ocean acidification, further threatening
food security and efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development,
and in this regard emphasizes that adaptation to climate change represents an
immediate and urgent global priority;
3. Recognizes the need to build on the existing political momentum with a
view to achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention and to further advancing
climate change negotiations;
4. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the United Nations Climate Change
Conference in Durban;16
5. Notes with appreciation that the Government of Qatar hosted the
eighteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the eighth
session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol in Doha from 26 November to 8 December 2012;
6. Registers its encouragement to Member States to approach the United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha with a view to achieving an ambitious,
substantive and balanced outcome, building on the progress made through the Bali
Action Plan17 and the decisions adopted at Cancun, Mexico,18 and Durban, South
Africa,15 accelerating progress towards the full implementation of those decisions
through the ongoing negotiations at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention
and the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, consistent with the mandates
of and decisions on the three tracks of negotiations, and further developing and
implementing the new processes and institutions agreed in the Cancun and Durban
decisions;
7. Notes the significant political momentum towards adopting the second
commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol14 as a key deliverable at the United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha;
8. Takes note of the decision, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to
the Convention at its seventeenth session, to launch a process to develop a protocol,
another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the
Convention applicable to all parties, through a subsidiary body under the
Convention known as the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for
Enhanced Action;19
9. Also takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention that the Ad Hoc Working Group shall complete its work as early as
possible, but no later than 2015, in order to adopt the protocol, legal instrument or
agreed outcome with legal force at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the
Parties and for it to come into effect in and be implemented as from 2020;19
10. Further takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention that the Ad Hoc Working Group shall plan its work in the first half of
2012, including on mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology development and
_______________
16 A/67/295, sect. I.
17 FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1, decision 1/CP.13.
18 At the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the sixth session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, held in Cancun from
29 November to 10 December 2010 (see FCCC/CP/2010/7/Add.1 and 2).
19 FCCC/CP/2011/9/Add.1, decision 1/CP.17.
A/RES/67/210 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
4/4
transfer, transparency of action and support and capacity-building, drawing upon
submissions from parties and relevant technical, social and economic information
and expertise;19
11. Takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention to launch a workplan on enhancing mitigation ambition to identify and
explore options for a range of actions that can close the ambition gap, with a view to
ensuring the highest possible mitigation efforts by all parties;19
12. Recognizes the need to engage a broad range of stakeholders at the
global, regional, national and local levels, including national, subnational and local
governments, private businesses and civil society, and including youth and persons
with disabilities, and that gender equality and the effective participation of women
and indigenous peoples are important for effective action on all aspects of climate
change;
13. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, through the Secretary-
General, to the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session on the work of the
Conference of the Parties;
14. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary bodies in his proposal
for the programme budget for the biennium 2014–2015;
15. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-eighth session,
under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled “Protection
of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
61st plenary meeting
21 December 2012
United Nations A/RES/68/212
General Assembly Distr.: General
18 February 2014
Sixty-eighth session
Agenda item 19 (d)
13-45217
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Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2013
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/68/438/Add.4)]
68/212. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of
7 December 2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011 and
67/210 of 21 December 2012 and other resolutions and decisions relating to the
protection of the global climate for present and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the objectives, principles and provisions of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change,1
Concerned that human activities have been substantially increasing the
atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, that these increases enhance the
natural greenhouse effect and that this will result on average in an additional
warming of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere and may adversely affect the natural
ecosystem and humankind,
Acknowledging that the developed country parties must take the lead in
combating climate change and its adverse effects,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration,2 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development 3 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation),4
the 2005 World Summit Outcome, 5 the outcomes of the thirteenth to eighteenth
sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 Resolution 55/2.
3 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–
4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I,
resolution 1, annex.
4 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
5 Resolution 60/1.
A/RES/68/212 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
2/5
on Climate Change and of the third to eighth sessions of the Conference of the Parties
serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,6 the Mauritius
Declaration 7 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States8 and the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade
2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed
Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011,9
Recalling also the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012,
entitled “The future we want”,10
Reaffirming its commitment to the ultimate objective of the Convention, namely,
to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that prevents
dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, and reaffirming also
that such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow
ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not
threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner,
Reaffirming also the financial obligations under the Convention of developed
country parties and other developed parties included in annex II to the Convention
and under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,11
Recognizing the importance of transparency in proceedings of the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention and the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting
of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol,
Noting the decision of the parties to the Convention to adopt a protocol, another
legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention
applicable to all parties at its twenty-first session, to be held from 30 November to
11 December 2015, and for it to come into effect and be implemented from 2020,
1. Takes note of the outcome of the eighteenth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and of
the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted by the Government of Qatar in Doha from
26 November to 8 December 2012;12
2. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our
time, expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to
rise globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
_______________
6 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
7 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
8 Ibid., annex II.
9 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul, Turkey,
9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
10 Resolution 66/288, annex.
11 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2303, No. 30822.
12 FCCC/CP/2012/8/Add.1–3 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1 and 2 and Add.2/Corr.1.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/68/212
3/5
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing increased impacts, including persistent drought and extreme weather
events, sea-level rise, coastal erosion and ocean acidification, further threatening
food security and efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development,
and in this regard emphasizes that adaptation to climate change represents an
immediate and urgent global priority;
3. Recognizes the need to build on the existing political momentum, with a
view to achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention and to further advancing
climate change negotiations;
4. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the United Nations Climate Change
Conference held in Doha from 20 November to 8 December 2012;13
5. Notes that the parties to the Kyoto Protocol adopted decision 1/CMP.8 on
the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change;14
6. Notes with appreciation the hosting by the Government of Poland of the
nineteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the ninth
session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol in Warsaw from 11 to 22 November 2013;
7. Registers its encouragement to Member States to approach the United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw with a view to achieving an
ambitious, substantive and balanced outcome, building on the conclusion of the Bali
Action Plan 15 and the decisions adopted at Cancun, Mexico, 16 Durban, South
Africa,17 and Doha,12 and to accelerating progress towards the full implementation
of those decisions through the ongoing negotiations, including at the nineteenth
session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the ninth session of
the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol;
8. Takes note of decision 1/CP.18 of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention at its eighteenth session,18 which, together with decisions adopted at its
sixteenth and seventeenth sessions, constitutes the agreed outcome pursuant to its
decision 1/CP.13;
9. Also takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention that parties will urgently work towards the deep reduction in global
greenhouse gas emissions required to hold the increase in the global average
temperature below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to attain a
global peaking of global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, consistent
with science and as documented in the Fourth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, reaffirming that the time frame for
peaking will be longer in developing countries;18
_______________
13 A/68/260, sect. I.
14 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1.
15 FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1, decision 1/CP.13.
16 FCCC/CP/2010/7/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2010/12/Add.1 and 2.
17 FCCC/CP/2011/9/Add.1 and 2 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2011/10/Add.1 and 2.
18 FCCC/CP/2012/8/Add.1, decision 1/CP.18.
A/RES/68/212 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
4/5
10. Further takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention that parties’ efforts should be undertaken on the basis of equity and
common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, as well as the
provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity-building to developing
countries in order to support their mitigation and adaptation actions under the
Convention, and should take into account the imperatives of equitable access to
sustainable development, the survival of countries and the protection of the integrity
of Mother Earth;18
11. Takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention to extend the work programme on long-term finance for one year, to the
end of 2013, with the aim of informing developed country parties in their efforts to
identify pathways for mobilizing the scaling-up of climate finance to 100 billion
United States dollars per year by 2020 from public, private and alternative sources in
the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation, and
informing parties in enhancing their enabling environments and policy frameworks to
facilitate the mobilization and effective deployment of climate finance in developing
countries;18
12. Notes the determination of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention, in its decision 2/CP.18, to adopt a protocol, another legal instrument or
an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all parties at
its twenty-first session, due to be held from 30 November to 11 December 2015, and
for it to come into effect and be implemented from 2020;19
13. Takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention that the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced
Action will consider elements for a draft negotiating text no later than at its session
to be held in conjunction with the twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties,
due to be held from 3 to 14 December 2014, with a view to making a negotiating
text available before May 2015;19
14. Also takes note of the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention to identify and to explore in 2013 options for a range of actions that can
close the pre-2020 ambition gap with a view to identifying further activities for its
plan of work in 2014, ensuring the greatest possible mitigation efforts under the
Convention;19
15. Notes the recognition by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention
that climate change represents an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to human
societies and the planet and thus requires to be urgently addressed by all parties and
its acknowledgement that the global nature of climate change calls for the widest
possible cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and
appropriate international response, with a view to accelerating the reduction of
global greenhouse gas emissions, and also notes the acknowledgement by the
Conference of the Parties that the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the
Durban Platform for Enhanced Action shall be guided by the principles of the
Convention;19
16. Recognizes the need to engage a broad range of stakeholders at the
global, regional, national and local levels, including national, subnational and local
governments and the scientific community, private businesses and civil society and
_______________
19 Ibid., decision 2/CP.18.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/68/212
5/5
also including youth and persons with disabilities, and that gender equality and the
effective participation of women and indigenous peoples are important for effective
action on all aspects of climate change;
17. Takes note with appreciation of the announcement by the Secretary-
General that a Climate Summit would be convened in 2014;
18. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, through the Secretary-
General, to the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session on the work of the
Conference of the Parties;
19. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary bodies in his
proposed programme budget for the biennium 2014–2015;
20. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-ninth session,
under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled “Protection
of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
71st plenary meeting
20 December 2013
United Nations A/RES/69/220
General Assembly Distr.: General
3 February 2015
Sixty-ninth session
Agenda item 19 (d)
14-67791 (E)
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Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 2014
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/69/468/Add.4)]
69/220. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of
7 December 2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011,
67/210 of 21 December 2012 and 68/212 of 20 December 2013 and other
resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of the global climate for present
and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the objectives, principles and provisions of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change,1
Recalling further that the global nature of climate change calls for the widest
possible cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and
appropriate international response, with a view to accelerating the reduction of
global greenhouse gas emissions, and that the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change provides that parties should protect the climate
system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind on the basis
of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 2 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development3 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation),4 the 2005 World Summit Outcome,5 the outcomes of the thirteenth
to nineteenth sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and of the third to ninth sessions of the
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 Resolution 55/2.
3 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–
4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution
1, annex.
4 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
5 Resolution 60/1.
A/RES/69/220 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
2/4
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol, the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the
Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least
Developed Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011, 6 the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States, 7 the Mauritius Declaration 8 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further
Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States9 and the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action
(SAMOA) Pathway,10
Recalling also the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012,
entitled “The future we want”,11
Recalling further its resolution 68/309 of 10 September 2014, in which it
welcomed the report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development
Goals12 and decided that the proposal of the Open Working Group contained in the
report shall be the main basis for integrating sustainable development goals into the
post-2015 development agenda, while recognizing that other inputs will also be
considered, in the intergovernmental negotiation process at the sixty-ninth session
of the General Assembly,
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our
time, expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to
rise globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, sea-level rise, coastal erosion and ocean acidification, further
threatening food security and efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable
development, and in this regard emphasizes that adaptation to climate change
represents an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Notes the determination of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, expressed in its decision
2/CP.18,13 to adopt a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with
legal force under the Convention applicable to all parties at its twenty-first session,
to be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015, and for it to come into
effect and be implemented from 2020;
3. Takes note of the outcome of the nineteenth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and of
_______________
6 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul, Turkey, 9–
13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
7 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
8 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10–14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
9 Ibid., annex II.
10 Resolution 69/15, annex.
11 Resolution 66/288, annex.
12 A/68/970 and Corr.1.
13 See FCCC/CP/2012/8/Add.1.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/69/220
3/4
the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted by the Government of Poland in Warsaw from
11 to 23 November 2013,14 and in particular its invitation, in its decision 1/CP.19,15
to all parties to initiate or intensify domestic preparations for their intended
nationally determined contributions, without prejudice to the legal nature of the
contributions, in the context of adopting a protocol, another legal instrument or an
agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all parties
towards achieving the objective of the Convention, as set out in its article 2, and to
communicate them well in advance of the twenty-first session of the Conference of
the Parties (by the first quarter of 2015 by those parties ready to do so) in a manner
that facilitates the clarity, transparency and understanding of the intended
contributions, without prejudice to the legal nature of the contributions;
4. Notes the reiteration by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention
that the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced
Action shall be guided by the principles of the Convention;
5. Also notes the request of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention that the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced
Action further elaborate elements for a draft negotiating text, taking into
consideration its work, including its work on mitigation, adaptation, finance,
technology development and transfer, capacity-building and transparency of action
and support;
6. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on the United Nations
Climate Change Conference held in Warsaw from 11 to 23 November 2013;16
7. Also takes note of decision 2/CP.19, taken by the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention at its nineteenth session,15 and resolves to work together
to implement and operationalize the Warsaw international mechanism for loss and
damage associated with climate change impacts;
8. Notes the conclusion of the Secretary-General’s Climate Summit, and
welcomes its contribution to the existing political momentum, with a view to
galvanizing action to address climate change;
9. Notes with appreciation the hosting by the Government of Peru of the
twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the tenth
session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to
the Kyoto Protocol, in Lima from 1 to 12 December 2014;
10. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, through the
Secretary-General, to the General Assembly at its seventieth session on the work
of the Conference of the Parties;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of
the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary bodies in his
proposed programme budget for the biennium 2016–2017;
_______________
14 FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1, Add.2/Rev.1 and Add.3 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2013/9/Add.1.
15 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
16 A/69/317, sect. I.
A/RES/69/220 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
4/4
12. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventieth session,
under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled
“Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
75th plenary meeting
19 December 2014
United Nations A/RES/70/205
General Assembly Distr.: General
4 February 2016
Seventieth session
Agenda item 20 (d)
15-16959 (E)
*1516959* Please recycle
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2015
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/70/472/Add.4)]
70/205. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of
7 December 2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011,
67/210 of 21 December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013 and 69/220 of
19 December 2014, and other resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of
the global climate for present and future generations of humankind,
Noting that the content of the present resolution does not prejudge the outcome
of the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Paris from 30 November to
13 December 2015,
Welcoming the convening of the twenty-first session of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention, underscoring the commitment of all States to work for an
ambitious and universal climate agreement, and reaffirming that any protocol, other
legal instrument or agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention
applicable to all parties shall address in a balanced manner, inter alia, mitigation,
adaptation, finance, technology development and transfer, capacity -building and
transparency of action and support,
Acknowledging that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change1 is the primary international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the
global response to climate change, expressing determination to address decisively
the threat posed by climate change and environmental degradation, recognizing that
the global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international
cooperation aimed at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions
and addressing adaptation to the advers e impacts of climate change, and noting with
grave concern the significant gap between the aggregate effect of parties’ mitigation
pledges in terms of global annual emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 and
aggregate emission pathways, consistent with having a likely chance of holding the
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
A/RES/70/205 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
2/5
increase in global average temperature below 2 degrees Celsius, or 1.5 degrees
Celsius above pre-industrial levels,
Recalling the objectives, principles and provisions of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change,
Noting the reiteration by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention that
the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced
Action shall be guided by the principles of the Convention,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 2 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development 3 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation),4 the 2005 World Summit Outcome,5 the outcomes of the thirteenth
to twentieth sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and of the third to tenth sessions of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol, the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the
Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least
Developed Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011, 6 the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Deve lopment of Small Island Developing
States, 7 the Mauritius Declaration 8 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further
Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States 9 and the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action
(SAMOA) Pathway,10
Recalling also the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012,
entitled “The future we want”,11
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly
for the full implementation of this Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions —
_______________
2 Resolution 55/2.
3 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
4 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
5 Resolution 60/1.
6 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul, Turkey,
9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
7 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
8 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10-14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
9 Ibid., annex II.
10 Resolution 69/15, annex.
11 Resolution 66/288, annex.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/70/205
3/5
economic, social and environmental — in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millenn ium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for
Development, which is an integral part o f the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, supports and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of
implementation targets with concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong
political commitment to address the challenge of financing a nd creating an enabling
environment at all levels for sustainable development in the spirit of global
partnership and solidarity,
Taking note of the successful and timely initial resource mobilization process
of the Green Climate Fund, making it the large st dedicated climate fund and
enabling it to start its activities in supporting developing country parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at all levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
Africa, 12 and the Convention on Biological Diversity, 13 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates,
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our
time, expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to
rise globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea-level rise, coastal erosion and ocean
acidification, further threatening food security and efforts to eradicate poverty and
achieve sustainable development, and in this regard emphasizes that mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Notes the determination of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its eighteenth session,
expressed in its decision 2/CP.18,14 to adopt a protocol, another legal instrument or
an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all parties at
its twenty-first session, and for it to come into effect and be implemented from
2020;
3. Takes note of the outcome of the twentieth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and of
the tenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, hosted by the Government of Peru in Lim a from
1 to 14 December 2014;15
_______________
12 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
13 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
14 See FCCC/CP/2012/8/Add.1.
15 FCCC/CP/2014/10/Add.1–3 and FCCC/KP/CMP/2014/9/Add.1.
A/RES/70/205 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
4/5
4. Recalls in particular the invitation of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention at its nineteenth session, expressed in its decision 1/CP.19, 16 to all
parties to initiate or intensify domestic preparations for thei r intended nationally
determined contributions, without prejudice to the legal nature of the contributions,
in the context of adopting a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome
with legal force under the Convention applicable to all parties towards achieving the
objective of the Convention, as set out in its article 2, that will represent a
progression beyond the current undertaking of each party;
5. Welcomes the submission of intended nationally determined contributions
from more than 170 parties, takes note of the synthesis report on the aggregate
effect of such contributions17 by the secretariat of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, taking into account that some intended nationally
determined contributions were communicated after the submission of the report, and
notes the need for further actions;
6. Reiterates the resolve of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention,
as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of its decision 1/CP.19, to accelerate the full
implementation of the decisions constituting the agreed outcome pursuant to its
decision 1/CP.1318 and to enhance ambition in the pre-2020 period in order to ensure
the highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention by all parties;
7. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the United Nations Climate Change
Conference held in Lima from 1 to 14 December 2014;19
8. Also takes note of decision 2/CP.20 adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention at its twentieth session, held in Lima from 1 to
14 December 2014, on the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage
associated with Climate Change Impacts;20
9. Further takes note of the invitation of the Conference of the Parties to
the Convention to parties to communicate their intended nationally determined
contributions in a manner that facilitates the clarity, transparency and understanding
thereof;
10. Notes the work undertaken by the Lima-Paris Action Agenda, with a view
to galvanizing action to address climate change;
11. Notes with appreciation the hosting by the Government of France of the
twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Conventio n and the
eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, in Paris from 30 November to 13 December 2015;
12. Welcomes the offer by the Government of Morocco to host the twenty -
second session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention in 2016;
13. Urges Member States to promote the integration of a gender perspective
into environmental and climate change policies and to strengthen mechanisms and
_______________
16 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
17 FCCC/CP/2015/7.
18 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
19 A/70/230, sect. I.
20 See FCCC/CP/2014/10/Add.2.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/70/205
5/5
provide adequate resources towards achieving the full and equal participation of
women in decision-making at all levels on environmental issues;
14. Requests the Secretary-General, as a follow-up to paragraph 96 of the
outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development,
entitled “The future we want”,11 to submit an action plan for the Secretariat that
will be designed to work within existing procurement rules and policies aimed at
integrating sustainable development practices into its operations and facilities
management, building on existing efforts a nd promoting cost-effectiveness, and in
accordance with legislative frameworks, including financial rules and regulations,
while maintaining accountability to Member States, with the specific goal of a
United Nations that does not, through its operations o r facilities management, have a
negative impact on the climate, as soon as possible, or by 2020, if practicable;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary b odies in his
proposed programme budget for the biennium 2018 –2019;
16. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, through the Secretary -
General, to the General Assembly at its seventy-first session on the work of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention, and decides to include, under the item
entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub -item entitled “Protection of global
climate for present and future generations of humankind” in the provisional agenda
of its seventy-first session, unless otherwise agreed in the discussions on the
revitalization of the Second Committee.
81st plenary meeting
22 December 2015
United Nations A/RES/71/228
General Assembly Distr.: General
7 February 2017
Seventy-first session
Agenda item 19 (d)
16-22810 (E)
*1622810* Please recycle
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 21 December 2016
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/71/463/Add.4)]
71/228. Protection of global climate for present and future
generations of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of
7 December 2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011,
67/210 of 21 December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013, 69/220 of 19 December
2014 and 70/205 of 22 December 2015, and other resolutions and decisions relating
to the protection of the global climate for present and futu re generations of
humankind,
Recalling also in full the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change 1 and the Paris Agreement adopted under the Convention, 2 acknowledging
that they are the primary international, intergovernmental forums for negot iating the
global response to climate change, expressing determination to address decisively
the threat posed by climate change and environmental degradation, recognizing that
the global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international
cooperation aimed at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions
and addressing adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change, and noting with
concern the significant gap between the aggregate effect of parties’ mitigation
pledges in terms of global annual emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 and
aggregate emission pathways,
Recalling further the Paris Agreement, which, pursuant to article 2, paragraph 2,
thereof, will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common bu t
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different
national circumstances,
Noting with appreciation the high-level signature ceremony for the Paris
Agreement, held on 22 April 2016, and the high-level event for the entry into force
of the Agreement, held on 21 September 2016,
_______________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex.
A/RES/71/228 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
2/6
Acknowledging that action on adaptation to climate change is an urgent
priority for developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to
the adverse effects of climate change, and bearing in mind that the provision of
scaled-up financial resources should aim to achieve a balance between adaptation
and mitigation,
Welcoming the convening of the twenty-second session of the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol and the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, held in Marrakech, Morocco,
from 7 to 18 November 2016, and welcoming also the Marrakech Action
Proclamation,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 3 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development 4 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation), 5
the 2005 World Summit Outcome, 6 the outcome document of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”, 7 the outcomes of the thirteenth to
twenty-first sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and o f the
third to eleventh sessions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of
the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the Programme of Action for the Least Developed
Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations
Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to
13 May 2011,8 the Political Declaration of the Comprehensive High-level Midterm
Review of the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least
Developed Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, held in Antalya, Turkey, from 27 to
29 May 2016,9 the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small
Island Developing States,10 the Mauritius Declaration 11 and the Mauritius Strategy
for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States, 12 the SIDS Accelerated Modalities
of Action (SAMOA) Pathway,13 the Sendai Declaration and the Sendai Framework
for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 –2030,14 the New Urban Agenda, adopted by the
_______________
3 Resolution 55/2.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 Resolution 60/1.
7 Resolution 66/288, annex.
8 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul, Turkey,
9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
9 Resolution 70/294, annex.
10 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
11 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, 10-14 January 2005
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
12 Ibid., annex II.
13 Resolution 69/15, annex.
14 Resolution 69/283, annexes I and II.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/71/228
3/6
United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development
(Habitat III), held in Quito from 17 to 20 October 2016, 15 and the Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action,16
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly
for the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions —
economic, social and environmental — in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Deve lopment Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for
Development, which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, supports and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of
implementation targets with concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong
political commitment to address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling
environment at all levels for sustainable development in the spirit of global
partnership and solidarity,
Taking note of the Green Climate Fund and its successful and timely initial
resource mobilization process, making it the largest dedicated climate fund, and its
approval of 1.17 billion United States dollars in funding as a milestone towards
achieving the aspirational goal of approving 2.5 billion dollars in funding, which
will help to deliver outcomes, in developing countries, to limit or reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, and reiterating the
objectives and guiding principles of the Fund, including a gender-sensitive approach
in its process and operations,
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at all levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
Africa, 17 and the Convention on Biological Diversity, 18 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates,
Noting also the contribution of the United Nations Environment Assembly to
address the challenge of, inter alia, climate change, within its mandate and in
collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders,
Recognizing the substantial risks posed by climate change to the oceans and
marine ecosystems, and in this regard noting the convening of the United Nations
Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14:
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and mari ne resources for sustainable
_______________
15 Resolution 71/256, annex.
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United Nations
publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
17 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
18 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
A/RES/71/228 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
4/6
development, as decided by the General Assembly in its resolutions 70/226 of
22 December 2015 and 70/303 of 9 September 2016, to be held at United Nations
Headquarters from 5 to 9 June 2017,
Taking note of the decision of the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation
Organization at its thirty-ninth session to implement, as part of a comprehensive
basket of measures, a global market-based measure in the form of the Carbon
Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation to address annual
increases in total carbon dioxide emissions from international civil aviation above
2020 levels, taking into account special circumstances and respective capabilities,
Welcoming the recent adoption, at the twenty-eighth meeting of the parties to
the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 19 of the
amendment, as agreed in Kigali, to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, as a ma jor
contribution to the aims of the Paris Agreement,
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our
time, expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to
rise globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea level rise, co astal erosion and ocean
acidification, further threatening food security and efforts to eradicate poverty and
achieve sustainable development, and in this regard emphasizes that mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urge nt global priority;
2. Welcomes the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by the
Government of France in Paris from 30 November to 13 December 2015;
3. Also welcomes the early entry into force, on 4 November 2016, of the
Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change,2 and encourages all its parties to fully implement the Agreement,
and parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1 that
have not yet done so to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance,
approval or accession, where appropriate, as soon as possible;
4. Recalls that the Paris Agreement, in enhancing the implementation of the
Convention, including its objective, aims to strengthen the global response to the
threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to
eradicate poverty, including by holding the increase in the global average
temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial levels and
pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and
impacts of climate change, increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of
climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions
development, in a manner that does not threaten food production, and making
finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and
climate-resilient development;
5. Welcomes the nationally determined contributions submitted to date, and
recalls that the regular updating of such contributions should reflect the highest
possible level of ambition, in the light of different national circumstances, and
_______________
19 Ibid., vol. 1522, No. 26369.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/71/228
5/6
provide the information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding, in
accordance with the relevant decisions;
6. Acknowledges the work undertaken by the Lima -Paris Action Agenda,
and encourages non-party stakeholders to scale up their efforts to a ddress and
respond to climate change;
7. Reiterates the resolve of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention,
as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of its decision 1/CP.19, 20 to accelerate the full
implementation of the decisions constituting the agreed o utcome pursuant to its
decision 1/CP.1321 and to enhance ambition in the pre-2020 period in order to ensure
the highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention by all parties;
8. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Na tions
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the twenty -first session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention; 22
9. Recognizes the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss
and damage associated with the adverse effects of climat e change, and in that regard
takes note of decisions 2/CP.1920 and 2/CP.2023 adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention, on the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and
Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, and decision 1/CP.21, 24 in which
the Paris Agreement was adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its twenty -first
session;
10. Notes with appreciation the hosting by the Government of Morocco of
the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, t he
twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol and the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement in Marrakech from 7 to
18 November 2016;
11. Welcomes the offer by the Government of Fiji to host the twenty -third
session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention in Bonn, Germany, in
2017;
12. Urges Member States, taking into account that women and girls are often
disproportionately affected by climate change owing to gender inequalities and the
dependence of many women on natural resources for their livelihoods, to promote
the integration of a gender perspective into environmental and climate change
policies and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources towards
achieving the full and equal participation of women in decision -making at all levels
on environmental issues, and stresses the need to address the challenges posed by
climate change that affect women and girls in particular;
13. Welcomes the appointment of the new Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and congratulates the previous
Executive Secretary for her achievements;
_______________
20 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
21 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
22 A/71/216, sect. I.
23 See FCCC/CP/2014/10/Add.2.
24 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1.
A/RES/71/228 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
6/6
14. Recalls its request that the Secretary-General, as a follow-up to
paragraph 96 of the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, entitled “The future we want”, 7 submit an action plan for
the Secretariat that will be designed to work within existing procurement rules and
policies aimed at integrating sustainable development practices into its operations
and facilities management, building on existing efforts and promoting costeffectiveness,
and in accordance with legislative frameworks, including financial
rules and regulations, while maintaining accountability to Member States, with the
specific goal of a United Nations that does not, th rough its operations or facilities
management, have a negative impact on the climate, as soon as possible, or by 2020,
if practicable, and requests that the aforementioned action plan be submitted before
the end of its seventy-first session;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary bodies in his
proposed programme budget for the biennium 2018 –2019;
16. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, th rough the Secretary-
General, to the General Assembly at its seventy -second session on the work of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention, and decides to include, under the item
entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub -item entitled “Protection of global
climate for present and future generations of humankind” in the provisional agenda
of its seventy-second session, unless otherwise agreed.
66th plenary meeting
21 December 2016
United Nations A/RES/72/219
General Assembly Distr.: General
25 January 2018
17-23289 (E) 300118
*1723289*
Seventy-second session
Agenda item 19 (d)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 20 December 2017
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/72/420/Add.4)]
72/219. Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of 7 December
2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011, 67/210 of
21 December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013, 69/220 of 19 December 2014,
70/205 of 22 December 2015 and 71/228 of 21 December 2016 and other resolutions
and decisions relating to the prot ection of the global climate for present and future
generations of humankind,
Recalling also, in full, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change1 and the Paris Agreement adopted under the Convention, 2 acknowledging that
they are the primary international, intergovernmental forums for negotiating the
global response to climate change, expressing determination to address decisively the
threat posed by climate change and environmental degradation, recognizing that the
global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international cooperation
aimed at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and
addressing adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change, and noting with
concern the significant gap between the aggregate effect of parties’ mitigation pledges
in terms of global annual emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 and aggregate
emission pathways,
Recalling further the Paris Agreement, which, pursuant to article 2, paragraph 2,
thereof, will be impleme nted to reflect equity and the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different
national circumstances,
Acknowledging that action on adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority
for developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the
__________________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex. ■ . ·l!l ...«.. ~~ l!l. ..
A/RES/72/219 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
2/7 17-23289
adverse effects of climate change, and bearing in mind that the provision of scaled -
up financial resources should aim to achieve a balance between adaptation and
mitigation,
Welcoming the convening of the twenty-third session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
thirteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the second part of the first session of the Conference
of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, presided
over by the Government of Fiji, in Bonn, Germany, from 6 to 1 7 November 2017,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration,3 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development 4 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation), 5
the 2005 World Summit Outcome,6 the outcome document of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”,7 the outcomes of the thirteenth to
twenty-second sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Natio ns
Framework Convention on Climate Change and of the third to twelfth sessions of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol,
the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011–
2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed
Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 1 3 May 2011,8 the Political Declaration
of the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review of the Implementation of the
Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade
2011–2020, held in Antalya, Turkey, from 27 to 2 9 May 2016,9 the Vienna Programme
of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024, adopted
at the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held
in Vienna from 3 to 5 November 2014,10 the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States, 11 the Mauritius Declaration12 and
the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 13 the SIDS
Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway,14 the Sendai Declaration and
the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–203015 and the Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action,16
__________________
3 Resolution 55/2.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and
corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 Resolution 60/1.
7 Resolution 66/288, annex.
8 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul,
Turkey, 9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
9 Resolution 70/294, annex.
10 Resolution 69/137, annex II.
11 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Sm all Island Developing
States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 2 5 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
12 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius,
10–14 January 2005 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
13 Ibid., annex II.
14 Resolution 69/15, annex.
15 Resolution 69/283, annexes I and II.
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United
Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/72/219
17-23289 3/7
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for
the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions —
economic, social and environmental — in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development,
which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports
and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with
concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to
address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels
for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity,
Expressing concern over the findings of the World Meteorological Organization,
in its Greenhouse gas bulletin of 30 October 2017, which showed that the global
average of atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide reached 403.3 parts per
million in 2016, the highest such levels in 3 to 5 million years, and that the increase
in the annual mean from 2015 to 2016 was 5 0 per cent above the average growth rate
for the past decade,
Taking note of the Green Climate Fund and its successful and timely initial
resource mobilization process, making it the largest dedicated climate fund, and its
approval of 2.59 billion United States dollars in funding, stressing its goal of ensuring
efficient access to its resources through simplified approval procedures and enhancing
readiness support, which will help to deliver outcomes in developing countries so as
to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help them adapt to the impacts of
climate change, and reiterating the objectives and guiding principles of the Fund,
including a gender-sensitive approach in its process and operations,
Welcoming the New Urban Agenda, adopted at the United Nations Conference
on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), held in Quito, Ecuador,
from 17 to 20 October 2016,17
Recalling the United Nations strategic plan for forests, 2017–2030,18 and
acknowledging that all types of forests contribute substantially to climate change
mitigation and adaptation,
Noting the existing framework on forests under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change,
Taking note of the high-level event on climate change and the sustainable
development agenda, held at United Nations Headquarters on 2 3 March 2017,
convened by the President of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly,
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at all levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly i n
__________________
17 Resolution 71/256, annex.
18 See resolution 71/285.
A/RES/72/219 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
4/7 17-23289
Africa,19 and the Convention on Biological Diversity, 20 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates, and welcoming in this context the outcomes of
the thirteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification,21 as well as the outcomes of the thirteenth
meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on
Biological Diversity,22
Noting also the contribution of the United Nations Environment Assembly to
addressing the challenge of, inter alia, climate change, within its mandate and in
collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders,
Recalling its resolution 71/312 of 6 July 2017, in which it endorsed the
declaration entitled “Our ocean, our future: call for action” adopted by the high-level
United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable
Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development, held from 5 to 9 June 2017, coinciding with
World Oceans Day on 8 June, reaffirming in this regard the important role of the
declaration in demonstrating the collective will to take action to conserve and
sustainably use our oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development,
and recognizing the important contributions of the partnership dialogues and
voluntary commitments made in the context of that Conference to the effective and
timely implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14,
Recognizing that, in undertaking its work, the United Nations should promote
the protection of the global climate for the well -being of present and future
generations of humankind,
Welcoming the adoption, at the Twenty-eighth Meeting of the Parties to the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 23 held in Kigali from
10 to 15 October 2016, of the Kigali Amendment24 to phase down hydrofluorocarbons,
welcoming the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol by 23
countries, and encouraging further ratifications as soon as possible,
Noting the contribution of the International Civil Aviation Organization to
global efforts to combat climate change, and noting also the contribution of the
International Maritime Organization in this regard,
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time,
expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise
globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particula rly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean ac idification
and the retreat of mountain glaciers, further threatening food security and efforts to
eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development, recognizes the substantial
risks posed by climate change to health, and emphasizes in this regard that mitigation
of and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Welcomes the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by the
Government of Morocco in Marrakech from 7 to 1 8 November 2016;
__________________
19 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
20 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
21 ICCD/COP(13)/21/Add.1.
22 See United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/13/25.
23 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1522, No. 26369.
24 UNEP/OzL.Pro.28/12, annex I.
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17-23289 5/7
3. Also welcomes the early entry into force, on 4 November 2016, of the Paris
Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change,2 and encourages all its parties to fully implement the Agreement, and parties
to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1 that have not yet
done so to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession,
where appropriate, as soon as possible;
4. Recalls that the Paris Agreement, in enhancing the implementation of the
Convention, including its objective, aims to strengthen the global response to the threat
of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate
poverty, including by holding the increase in the global average temperature to well
below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial levels, recognizing
that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, increasing
the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate
resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not
threaten food production, and making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards
low greenhouse gas emissions and climate -resilient development;
5. Welcomes the nationally determined contributions submitted to date, and
recalls that the regular updating of such contri butions should reflect the highest
possible level of ambition, in the light of different national circumstances, and should
provide the information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding, in
accordance with the relevant decisions;
6. Also welcomes the call of the Secretary-General for a climate summit to
be held in New York in 2019;
7. Emphasizes the need for collective efforts to promote sustainable
development in its three dimensions in an innovative, coordinated, environmentally
sound, open and shared manner;
8. Reiterates the call made in the declaration “Our ocean, our future: call for
action”25 for action to be taken on an urgent basis to conserve and sustainably use the
oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development;
9. Acknowledges the work undertaken under the auspices of the Marrakech
Partnership for Global Climate Action,26 and encourages non-party stakeholders to
scale up their efforts to address and respond to climate change;
10. Invites the President of the General Assembly to convene a high-level
meeting during the seventy-third session of the General Assembly on the issue of the
protection of the global climate for present and future generations of humankind in
the context of the economic, social and environmen tal dimensions of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development;27
11. Reiterates the resolve of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention,
as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of its decision 1/CP.19,28 to accelerate the full
implementation of the decisio ns constituting the agreed outcome pursuant to its
decision 1/CP.1329 and to enhance ambition in the pr e-2020 period in order to ensure
the highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention by all parties;
__________________
25 See resolution 71/312, annex.
26 See FCCC/CP/2016/10/Add.1.
27 Resolution 70/1.
28 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
29 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
A/RES/72/219 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
6/7 17-23289
12. Welcomes the acceptance or ratification of the Doha Amendment to the
Kyoto Protocol30 by 95 countries, and encourages further acceptance or ratifications
as soon as possible;
13. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the twenty-second session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention; 31
14. Recognizes the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss
and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, and in that regard
takes note of decisions 2/CP.19,28 2/CP.2032 and 3/CP.2233 adopted by the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and
Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, and decision 1/CP.21, 34 in which
the Paris Agreement was adopted by the Conference of the Parties a t its twenty-first
session;
15. Notes with appreciation the convening by the Government of Fiji of, and
the provision of technical assistance by the Government of Germany to, the twenty -
third session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, the thirteenth session
of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol and the second part of the first session of the Conference of the Parties
serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, in Bonn , Germany, from
6 to 17 November 2017;
16. Welcomes the offer by the Government of Poland to host the twenty -fourth
session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention in Katowice, from 3 to
14 December 2018;
17. Looks forward to the further implementation of the programme of work
under the Paris Agreement, in accordance with relevant decisions by the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention, as well as to the Talanoa (facilitative) dialogue
in 2018;
18. Urges Member States, taking into account that women and girls are often
disproportionately affected by climate change owing to gender inequalities and the
dependence of many women on natural resources for their livelihoods, to promote the
integration of a gender perspective into environmental an d climate change policies
and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources towards achieving the
full and equal participation of women in decision -making at all levels on
environmental issues, and stresses the need to address the challenges pose d by climate
change that affect women and girls in particular;
19. Endorses the action plan for integrating sustainable development practices
into Secretariat-wide operations and facilities management submitted by the
Secretary-General,35 and requests the Secretary-General to implement his relevant
recommendations within existing resources;
20. Requests the Secretary-General to make provisions for the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and its subsidiary bodies in his proposed
programme budget for the biennium 2018–2019;
21. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, through the Secretary -
General, to the General Assembly at its seventy -third session on the work of the
__________________
30 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1 .
31 A/72/152, sect. I, and A/72/152/Corr.1.
32 See FCCC/CP/2014/10/Add.2.
33 See FCCC/CP/2016/10/Add.1.
34 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1.
35 A/72/82.
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17-23289 7/7
Conference of the Parties to the Convention, and deci des to include, under the item
entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled “Protection of global
climate for present and future generations of humankind ” in the provisional agenda
of its seventy-third session, unless otherwise agreed.
74th plenary meeting
20 December 2017
United Nations A/RES/73/232
General Assembly Distr.: General
11 January 2019
18-22555 (E) 150119
*1822555*
Seventy-third session
Agenda item 20 (d)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 20 December 2018
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/73/538/Add.4)]
73/232. Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of 7 December
2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011, 67/210 of
21 December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013, 69/220 of 19 December 2014,
70/205 of 22 December 2015, 71/228 of 21 December 2016 and 72/219 of
20 December 2017 and other resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of
the global climate for present and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1
and the Paris Agreement adopted under the Convention, 2 acknowledging that they are
the primary international, intergovernmental forums for negotiating the global
response to climate change, expressing determination to address decisively the threat
posed by climate change and environmental degradation, recognizing that the global
nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international cooperation aimed
at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and addressing
adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change, and noting with concern the
significant gap between the aggregate effect of parties ’ mitigation pledges, in
particular their nationally determined contributi ons, as appropriate, and aggregate
emission pathways,
Recalling further the Paris Agreement, which, pursuant to article 2, paragraph 2,
thereof, will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different
national circumstances,
__________________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex. ■ . ·l!l
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A/RES/73/232 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
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Acknowledging that action on adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority
and a global challenge faced by all countries, in particular developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, recognizing that the current need for adaptation is significant and that greater
levels of mitigation can reduce the need for additional adaptation efforts, and bearing
in mind that the provision of scaled-up financial resources should aim to achieve a
balance between adaptation and mitigation,
Welcoming the convening of the twenty-fourth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the third part of the first session of the Conference
of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreemen t, in
Katowice, Poland, from 2 to 14 December 2018,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 3 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development 4 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation),5
the 2005 World Summit Outcome, 6 the outcome document of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”,7 the outcomes of the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change and of the sessions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of
the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the Programme of Action for the Least Develope d
Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations
Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to
13 May 2011,8 the Political Declaration of the Comprehensive High -level Midterm
Review of the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least
Developed Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, held in Antalya, Turkey, from 27 to
29 May 2016, 9 the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing
Countries for the Decade 2014–2024, adopted at the second United Nations
Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Vienna from 3 to
5 November 2014,10 the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States, 11 the Mauritius Declaration 12 and the Mauritius
Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 13 the SIDS Accelerated
Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, 14 the Sendai Declaration and the Sendai
__________________
3 Resolution 55/2.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and
corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 Resolution 60/1.
7 Resolution 66/288, annex.
8 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul,
Turkey, 9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
9 Resolution 70/294, annex.
10 Resolution 69/137, annex II.
11 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
12 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius,
10−14 January 2005 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
13 Ibid., annex II.
14 Resolution 69/15, annex.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/73/232
18-22555 3/7
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030,15 the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action,16 and the New Urban Agenda, adopted at the United Nations
Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development ( Habitat III), held in
Quito from 17 to 20 October 2016,17
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for
the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions —
economic, social and environmental — in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development,
which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports
and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with
concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to
address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels
for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity,
Noting with concern the findings contained in the special report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the impacts of global warming of
1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas
emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat
of climate change, sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty,
Taking note of the Green Climate Fund and its initial resource mobilization
process, making it the largest dedicated climate fund, and its approval of 4. 6 billion
United States dollars in funding to support the implementation of 93 climate change
adaptation and mitigation projects and programmes in 96 developing countries,
reiterating the objectives and guiding principles of the Fund, including a gender -
sensitive approach in its process and operations, stressing its goal of ensuring efficient
access to its resources through simplified approval procedures and enhancing
readiness support, which will help to deliver outcomes in developing countries so as
to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help them adapt to the impacts of
climate change, recognizing that the Board of the Fund decided to launch the process
for the first formal replenishment, and emphasizing the importance of having a timely,
well-managed and successful process so that the Fund continues to be one of the main
channels to enable the flow of financial resources to developing countries under the
Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
Recalling the United Nations strategic plan for forests, 2017–2030, 18 and
acknowledging that all types of forests contribute substantially to climate change
mitigation and adaptation,
Noting that forests are addressed under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, and noting also article 5 of the Paris Agreement,
__________________
15 Resolution 69/283, annexes I and II.
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United
Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
17 Resolution 71/256, annex.
18 See resolution 71/285.
A/RES/73/232 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
4/7 18-22555
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at all levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
Africa, 19 and the Convention on Biological Diversity, 20 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates,
Noting also the contribution of the United Nations Environment Assembly to
addressing the challenge of, inter alia, climate change, within its mandate and in
collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders,
Recalling its resolution 71/312 of 6 July 2017, entitled “Our ocean, our future:
call for action”,
Recognizing that, in undertaking its work, the United Nations should promote
the protection of the global climate for the well -being of present and future
generations of humankind,
Welcoming the entry into force on 1 January 2019 of the Kigali Amendment to
the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 21 welcoming also
its ratification by 59 countries and one regional economic integration organization,
while encouraging further ratifications as soon as possible, and welcoming further the
Thirtieth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held from 5 to 9 November
2018 in Quito,
Noting the contribution of the International Civil Aviation Organization to
global efforts to combat climate change, and noting also the contribution of the
International Maritime Organization in this regard,
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time,
expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise
globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean acidification
and the retreat of mountain glaciers, further threatening food security, water
availability and livelihoods, and efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and
dimensions and achieve sustainable development, recognizes the substantial risks
posed by climate change to health, and emphasizes in this regard that mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Welcomes the first two sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change after the adoption of the
Paris Agreement,2 including the twenty-third session of the Conference of the Parties,
presided over by the Government of Fiji, in Bonn, Germany, f rom 6 to 17 November
2017, and the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by the Government of
Morocco in Marrakech from 7 to 18 November 2016;
3. Also welcomes the Paris Agreement and its early entry into force, on
4 November 2016, encourages all parties to the Agreement to fully implement the
Agreement and parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change1 that have not yet done so to deposit their ins truments of ratification,
acceptance, approval or accession, where appropriate, as soon as possible, and
__________________
19 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
20 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
21 UNEP/OzL.Pro.28/12, annex I.
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind A/RES/73/232
18-22555 5/7
highlights the synergies between the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development22 and the Paris Agreement;
4. Recalls that the Paris Agreement, in enhancing the implementation of the
Convention, including its objective, aims to strengthen the global response to the
threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to
eradicate poverty, including by holding the increase in the global average temperature
to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial levels and pursuing efforts to
limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial levels,
recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate
change, increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and
foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner
that does not threaten food production, and mak ing finance flows consistent with a
pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate -resilient development;
5. Welcomes the nationally determined contributions submitted to date, and
recalls that the regular updating of such contributions will reflect the highest possible
level of ambition, in the light of different national circumstances, and provide the
information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding, in accordance with
the relevant decisions;
6. Notes with concern that the nationally determined contributions presented
thus far by the parties to the Paris Agreement are not sufficient to achieve the long -
term temperature goal in article 2, paragraph 1 (a), of the Agreement;
7. Urges the completion of the Paris Agreement work programme at the
twenty-fourth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, and recognizes the importance of the
facilitative dialogue of 2018, known as the Talanoa Dialogue, at the twenty -fourth
session as an opportunity to take stock of the collective efforts of parties in relation
to progress towards the long-term goal referred to in article 4, paragraph 1, of the
Agreement and to inform the preparation of nationally determined contribut ions;
8. Emphasizes the need for collective efforts to promote sustainable
development in its three dimensions in an innovative, coordinated, environmentally
sound, open and shared manner;
9. Underlines the need to address the economic, social and enviro nmental
impacts of climate change, and emphasizes the need for action at all levels, to enhance
efforts to build resilience through, inter alia, the sustainable management of
ecosystems, and to build resilience to reduce the impacts and costs of natural di sasters;
10. Recognizes that enhanced access to international climate finance is
important to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, and also recognizes the ongoing efforts in this regard;
11. Acknowledges the work undertaken under the auspices of the Marrakech
Partnership for Global Climate Action, 23 and encourages non-party stakeholders to
scale up their efforts to address and respond t o climate change;
12. Looks forward to the climate summit called for by the Secretary-General,
to be held in New York in 2019, to accelerate global action on climate change;
13. Also looks forward to the convening by the President of the General
Assembly of the high-level meeting during the seventy-third session of the General
Assembly on the issue of the protection of the global climate for present and future
__________________
22 Resolution 70/1.
23 See FCCC/CP/2016/10/Add.1.
A/RES/73/232 Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
6/7 18-22555
generations of humankind in the context of the economic, social and environmental
dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
14. Reiterates the resolve of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention,
as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 of its decision 1/CP.19, 24 to accelerate the full
implementation of the decisions constituting the agreed outcome pursuant to its
decision 1/CP.1325 and to enhance ambition in the pr e-2020 period in order to ensure
the highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention by all parties;
15. Welcomes the further acceptance or ratification of the Doha Amendment
to the Kyoto Protocol26 by 117 countries, up from 95 countries one year ago, expresses
concern that the Doha Amendment has not yet entered into force, and welcomes the
efforts of those parties that are already implementing the Doha Amendment prior to
its entry into force;
16. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the twenty -third session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention;27
17. Recognizes the importance for all countries of averting, minimizing and
addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change,
including extreme weather events and slow-onset events, and the role of sustainable
development in reducing the risk of loss and damage, and in that regard takes note of
the establishment of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage
associated with Climate Change Impacts, relevant consecutive decisions of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and article 8 of the Paris Agreement;
18. Notes with appreciation the hosting by the Government of Poland of the
twenty-fourth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, the
fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of
the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the third part of the first session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement,
in Katowice, Poland, from 2 to 14 December 2018;
19. Urges Member States, taking into account that women and girls are often
disproportionately affected by climate change owing to gender inequalities and the
dependence of many women on natural resources for their livelihoods, to promote the
integration of a gender perspective into environmental and climate change policies
and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources towards achieving the
full and equal participation of women in decision -making at all levels on
environmental issues, and stresses the need to address the challenges posed by climate
change that affect women and girls in particular, including through the
implementation of the first gender action plan adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
twenty-third session, with a view to advancing towards the goal of mainstreaming a
gender perspective into climate action;
20. Recalls the action plan for integrating sustainable development practices
into Secretariat-wide operations and facilities management submitted by the
Secretary-General28 and endorsed in resolution 72/219, and requests the Secretary-
General to report on its implementation and improv ements achieved to the General
Assembly at its seventy-fourth session;
__________________
24 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
25 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
26 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1 .
27 A/73/255, sect. I.
28 A/72/82.
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21. Notes the ongoing work and potential of the local communities and
indigenous peoples platform of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, established for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best
practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner, and recalls
decision 2/CP.23 of the twenty-third session of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on the platform’s purpose and functions;29
22. Invites the secretariat of the Convention to report, through the Secretary -
General, to the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session on the work of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention, and decides to include, under the item
entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled “Protection of global
climate for present and future generations of humankind ” in the provisional agenda
of its seventy-fourth session, unless otherwise agreed.
62nd plenary meeting
20 December 2018
__________________
29 FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1.
United Nations A/RES/74/219
General Assembly Distr.: General
27 January 2020
19-22488 (E) 290120
*1922488*
Seventy-fourth session
Agenda item 19 (d)
Sustainable development: protection of global climate for
present and future generations of humankind
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 19 December 2019
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/74/381/Add.4)]
74/219. Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of 7 December
2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011, 67/210 of
21 December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013, 69/220 of 19 December 2014,
70/205 of 22 December 2015, 71/228 of 21 December 2016, 72/219 of 20 December
2017 and 73/232 of 20 December 2018 and other resolutions and decisions relating to
the protection of the global climate for present and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1
and the Paris Agreement adopted under the Convention, 2 acknowledging that they are
the primary international, intergovernmental forums for negotiating the global
response to climate change, expressing determination to address d ecisively the threat
posed by climate change and environmental degradation, recognizing that the global
nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international cooperation aimed
at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and addressing
adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change, and noting with concern the
significant gap between the aggregate effect of parties ’ mitigation pledges, in
particular their nationally determined contributions, as appropriate, and aggreg ate
emission pathways,
Recalling further the Paris Agreement, which, pursuant to article 2, paragraph 2,
thereof, will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the lig ht of different
national circumstances,
__________________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex. 11 ! 1!]
1,3, .3
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A/RES/74/219
Protection of global climate for present
and future generations of humankind
2/8 19-22488
Acknowledging that action on adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority
and a global challenge faced by all countries, in particular developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, recognizing that the current need for adaptation is significant and that greater
levels of mitigation can reduce the need for additional adaptation efforts, and bearing
in mind that the provision of scaled -up financial resources should aim to achieve a
balance between adaptation and mitigation,
Welcoming the convening of the twenty-fifth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol and the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, presided over by the Government
of Chile, in Madrid, from 2 to 13 December 2019,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 3 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development4 and the Plan of Implementation of the World
Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation ), 5 the
2005 World Summit Outcome, 6 the outcome document of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”,7 the outcomes of the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change and of the sessions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of
the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the Programme of Action for the Least Developed
Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference
on the Least Developed Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011,8
the Political Declaration of the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review of the
Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Leas t Developed Countries
for the Decade 2011–2020, held in Antalya, Turkey, from 27 to 29 May 2016,9 the
Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade
2014–2024, adopted at the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked
Developing Countries, held in Vienna from 3 to 5 November 2014,10 the Programme of
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 11 the
Mauritius Declaration12 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of
the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States,13 the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, 14 the Sendai
__________________
3 Resolution 55/2.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and
corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 Resolution 60/1.
7 Resolution 66/288, annex.
8 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul,
Turkey, 9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
9 Resolution 70/294, annex.
10 Resolution 69/137, annex II.
11 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
12 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius,
10–14 January 2005 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
13 Ibid., annex II.
14 Resolution 69/15, annex.
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Declaration and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030,15 the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,16 and the New Urban Agenda, adopted at
the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development
(Habitat III), held in Quito from 17 to 20 October 2016,17
Noting the contribution of various initiatives, including the Glo bal Platform for
Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as regional and subregional platforms for disaster
risk reduction, to promoting coherence between disaster risk reduction, sustainable
development and efforts to mitigate climate change and the findings of the 2019
Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction , and recognizing that disaster
risk reduction efforts consistent with the Sendai Framework contribute to
strengthening resilience and climate change adaptation, and in this regard highlighting
synergies which help to ensure progress towards sustainable development,
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for
the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three d imensions –
economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development,
which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports
and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with
concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to
address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels
for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity,
Noting with concern the findings contained in the special report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the impacts of global warming of
1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas
emission pathways, Global Warming of 1.5°C, in the context of strengthening the
global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development and efforts
to eradicate poverty,
Noting also with concern the findings contained in the special report of the
Intergovernmental Panel entitled Climate Change, Desertification, Land
Degradation, Sustainable Land Management, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas
Fluxes in Terrestrial Ecosystems, and noting further with concern the findings
contained in the special report of the Intergovernmental Panel entitled The Ocean and
Cryosphere in a Changing Climate,
Reiterating its support for the objectives and guiding principles of the Green
Climate Fund, including a gender-sensitive approach in its process and operations,
and stressing its goal of ensuring efficient access to its resources through simplified
approval procedures and enhancing readiness support, which will help to deliver
__________________
15 Resolution 69/283, annexes I and II.
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United
Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
17 Resolution 71/256, annex.
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outcomes in developing countries so as to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change,
Welcoming the pledges made to the Green Climate Fund as a part of the current
first formal replenishment process, including at the 2019 Climate Action Summit
convened by the Secretary-General, held on 23 September, and at the high-level
pledging conference of the Green Climate Fund, held in Paris in October 2019,
totalling 9.78 billion United States dollars as at 25 October 2019, emphasizing the
importance of a successful process so that the Fund continues to be one of the main
channels to enable the flow of financial resources to developing countries under the
Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework C onvention on Climate Change,
Stressing that low greenhouse gas emission development can create employment
opportunities and quality jobs, in accordance with nationally defined development
priorities,
Recalling the United Nations strategic plan for forest s 2017–2030, 18 and
acknowledging that all types of forests contribute substantially to climate change
mitigation and adaptation,
Noting that forests are addressed under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, and noting also article 5 of the Paris Agreement,
Recognizing that climate change is a major and growing driver of biodiversity loss
and ecosystem degradation and that the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,
and ecosystem functions and services, contribute significantly to climate change
adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and food security and nutrition,
Looking forward to the 2020 Biodiversity Summit, the fifteenth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention and a post-2020 global biodiversity
framework,
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at all levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
Africa, 19 and the Convention on Biological Diversit y, 20 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates,
Noting also the contribution of the United Nations Environment Assembly to
addressing the challenge of, inter alia, climate change, within its mandate and in
collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders,
Recalling its resolution 71/312 of 6 July 2017, entitled “Our ocean, our future:
call for action”, and looking forward to the 2020 United Nations Conference to
Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and
sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development,
Recognizing that, in undertaking its work, the United Nations should promote
the protection of the global climate for the well-being of present and future
generations of humankind,
Recalling the entry into force on 1 January 2019 of the Kigali Amendment to
the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 21 welcoming its
ratification by 90 countries and one regional economic integration organization, while
__________________
18 See resolution 71/285.
19 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
20 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
21 UNEP/OzL.Pro.28/12, annex I.
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encouraging further ratifications as soon as possible, and recalling the thirty-first
Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held on 14 and 15 November 2019
in Rome,
Noting with appreciation the interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature
convened by the President of the General Assembly under the overall theme “Mother
Earth approach” in the implementation of education and climate action in harmony
with nature, held on 22 April 2019, in commemoration of International Mother
Earth Day,
Noting the contributions of the International Civil Avi ation Organization to
global efforts to combat climate change, and noting also the contributions of the
International Maritime Organization in this regard,
Encouraging Member States to advance innovative pathways to achieving
sustainable consumption and production in line with United Nations Environment
Assembly resolution 4/1,22
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time,
expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise
globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean acidification
and the retreat of mountain glaciers, further threatening food security, water
availability and livelihoods, and efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and
dimensions and achieve sustainable development, recognizes the substantial risks
posed by climate change to health, and emph asizes in this regard that mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Reaffirms also the Paris Agreement2 and its early entry into force,
encourages all the parties to the Agreement to fully implement the Agreement and
parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1 that have
not yet done so to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or
accession, where appropriate, as soon as possible, and highlights th e synergies
between the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development23 and
the Paris Agreement;
3. Recalls that the Paris Agreement, in enhancing the implementation of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including it s objective,
aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context
of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, including by holding the
increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to
1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would
significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, increasing the ability to
adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low
greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food
production, and making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low
greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development;
4. Welcomes the nationally determined contributions submitted to date, and
recalls that the regular updating of such contributions will reflect the highest possible
level of ambition, in the light of different national circumstances, and provide the
__________________
22 UNEP/EA.4/Res.1.
23 Resolution 70/1.
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information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding, in accordance with
the relevant decisions;
5. Notes with concern that the nationally determined contributions presented
thus far by the parties to the Paris Agreement are not sufficient and that action is
needed to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees
Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature
increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and underlines the
importance of the request in decision 1/CP.2124 of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention to the Parties to the Paris Agreement, as appropriate, to communicate or
update by 2020 their nationally determined contributions;
6. Stresses the urgent need to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen
resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events, and
in this regard urges Member States to continue to engage in adaptation planning
processes and to enhance cooperation, namely disaster risk reduction;
7. Welcomes the Paris Agreement work programme, commonly referred to as
the Katowice Rulebook, adopted at the third part of the first session of the Conference
of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreemen t,25 and
encourages Parties to the Paris Agreement to finalize outstanding decisions in
upcoming sessions;
8. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the twenty -fourth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention; 26
9. Emphasizes the need for collective efforts to promote sustainable
development in its three dimensions in an innovative, coordinated, environmentally
sound, open and shared manner;
10. Underlines the need to address the economic, social and environmental
impacts of climate change, and emphasizes the need for action at all levels, to enhance
efforts to build resilience through, inter alia, the sustainable management of
ecosystems, and to build resilience to reduce the impacts and costs of natural disasters;
11. Recognizes that enhanced access to international climate finan ce is
important to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, and also recognizes the ongoing efforts in this regard;
12. Acknowledges the work undertaken under the auspices of the Marrakech
Partnership for Global Climate Action, 27 and encourages non-party stakeholders to
scale up their efforts to address and respond to climate change;
13. Welcomes the holding of the 2019 Climate Action Summit convened by
the Secretary-General on 23 September, notes the multi-partner initiatives and
commitments presented during the Summit and notes also the Youth Climate Summit,
held on 21 September;
14. Also welcomes the convening by the President of the General Assembly of
the high-level meeting during the seventy-third session of the General Assembly on
the issue of the protection of the global climate for present and future generations of
humankind in the context of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
__________________
24 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1.
25 See FCCC/CP/2018/10/Add.1.
26 A/74/207, sect. I.
27 See FCCC/CP/2016/10/Add.1.
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15. Reiterates the resolve of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4
of its decision 1/CP.19, 28 to accelerate the full implementation of the decisions
constituting the agreed outcome pursuant to its decision 1/CP.1329 and to enhance
ambition in the pre-2020 period in line with decision 1/CP.21, in order to ensure the
highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention by all parties;
16. Welcomes the further acceptance or ratification of the Doha Amendment
to the Kyoto Protocol 30 by 135 countries, up from 117 countries one year ago,
expresses concern that the Doha Amendment has not yet entered into force, and
welcomes the efforts of those parties that are already implementing the Doha
Amendment prior to its entry into force;
17. Recognizes the importance for all countries of averting, minimizing and
addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change,
including extreme weather events and slow-onset events, and the role of sustainable
development in reducing the risk of loss and damage, and in that regard looks forward
to the outcome of the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and
Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, in the context of relevant decisions
of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change and article 8 of the Paris Agreement;
18. Notes with appreciation the hosting by the Government of Chile, in
Madrid, of the twenty-fifth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the fifteenth session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
and the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Paris Agreement, in Madrid, from 2 to 13 December 2019;
19. Urges Member States, taking into account that women and girls are often
disproportionately affected by climate change owing to gender inequalities and the
dependence of many women on natural resources for their livelihoods, to promote the
integration of a gender perspective into environmental and climate change policies
and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources towards achieving the
full and equal participation of women in decision -making at all levels on
environmental issues, and stresses the need to address the challenges posed by climate
change that affect women and girls in particular, including through the full
implementation of the new gender action plan adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Conventi on on Climate Change at its
twenty-third session, 31 and looks forward to its review with a view to advancing
towards the goal of promoting gender-responsive and equal and meaningful
participation of women in support of climate action;
20. Recalls the action plan for integrating sustainable development practices
into Secretariat-wide operations and facilities management submitted by the
Secretary-General32 and endorsed in its resolution 72/219, and requests the Secretary-
General to report on the implementation thereof and the improvements achieved to
the General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session;
21. Notes the ongoing work and potential of the Local Communities and
Indigenous Peoples Platform of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, established for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best
practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner, and recalls
decision 2/CP.23 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Platform’s
__________________
28 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
29 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
30 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1 .
31 FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1, decision 3/CP.23, annex.
32 A/72/82.
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purpose and functions33 and decision 2/CP.24 of the Conference of the Parties on the
Platform’s governance and further operationalization; 34
22. Decides to include in the United Nations calendar of conferences and
meetings for the years 2020 and 2021 the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to
the Convention and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for the years 2020 and 2021;
23. Invites the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change to report, through the Secretary-General, to the General Assembly at
its seventy-fifth session, on the work of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention, and decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-fifth
session, under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub-item entitled
“Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind ”.
52nd plenary meeting
19 December 2019
__________________
33 See FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1.
34 See FCCC/CP/2018/10/Add.1.
United Nations A/RES/75/217
General Assembly Distr.: General
29 December 2020
20-17655 (E) 060121
*2017655*
Seventy-fifth session
Agenda item 19 (d)
Sustainable development: protection of global climate for
present and future generations of humankind
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 21 December 2020
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/75/457/Add.4, para. 20)]
75/217. Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of 7 December
2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011, 67/210 of
21 December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013, 69/220 of 19 December 2014,
70/205 of 22 December 2015, 71/228 of 21 December 2016, 72/219 of 20 December
2017, 73/232 of 20 December 2018 and 74/219 of 19 December 2019 and other
resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of the global climate for present
and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1
and the Paris Agreement adopted under the Convention,2 acknowledging that they are
the primary international, intergovernmental forums for negotiating the global
response to climate change, expressing determination to address decisively the threat
posed by climate change and environmental degradation, recognizing that the global
nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international cooperation aimed
at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and addressing
adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change, and noting with concern the
significant gap between the aggregate effect of parties’ mitigation pledges, in
particular their nationally determined contributions, as appropriate, and aggregate
emission pathways,
Recalling further the Paris Agreement, which, pursuant to article 2, paragraph 2,
thereof, will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but
__________________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex.
Please
recycle@
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differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different
national circumstances,
Concerned that a prolonged economic downturn following the corona virus
disease (COVID-19) pandemic will adversely impact the implementation of the Paris
Agreement and the ability of countries, especially developing countries, to adequately
respond to the adverse impacts of climate change, emphasizing that, in the respon se
to the crisis, countries should keep the Sustainable Development Goals and climate
commitments in focus, taking note of the “United in Science 2020” report compiled
by the World Meteorological Organization, and emphasizing the importance of
countries keeping their commitments to the implementation of the Paris Agreement,
Noting with great concern the threat to human health, safety and well -being
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the severe disruption to societies and
economies and the devastating impact on lives and livelihoods, and that the poorest
and most vulnerable are the hardest hit by the pandemic, reaffirming the ambition to
get back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by designing
sustainable and inclusive recovery strategies to accelerate progress towards the full
implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to help to reduce the risk of future shocks,
and recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic requires a global response based on
unity, solidarity and renewed multilateral cooperation,
Acknowledging that action on adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority
and a global challenge faced by all countries, in particular developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of clima te
change, recognizing that the current need for adaptation is significant and that greater
levels of mitigation can reduce the need for additional adaptation efforts, and bearing
in mind that the provision of scaled-up financial resources should aim to achieve a
balance between adaptation and mitigation,
Welcoming the convening of the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol and the third session of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, presided over by the Government
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Glasgow, from 1 to
12 November 2021,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration,3 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development4 and the Plan of Implementation of the World
Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation), 5 the
2005 World Summit Outcome,6 the outcome document of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeir o, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”,7 the outcomes of the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change and of the sessions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of
the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the Programme of Action for the Least Developed
Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference
__________________
3 Resolution 55/2.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E. 03.II.A.1 and
corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 Resolution 60/1.
7 Resolution 66/288, annex.
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on the Least Developed Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011,8
the Political Declaration of the Comprehensive High -level Midterm Review of the
Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries
for the Decade 2011–2020, held in Antalya, Turkey, from 27 to 29 May 2016,9 the
Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade
2014–2024, adopted at the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked
Developing Countries, held in Vienna from 3 to 5 November 2014,10 the Programme of
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,11 the
Mauritius Declaration12 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of
the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States,13 the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway,14 the Sendai
Declaration and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030,15 the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,16 and the New Urban Agenda, adopted at
the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development
(Habitat III), held in Quito from 17 to 20 October 2016,17
Noting the contribution of various initiatives, including the Global Platform for
Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as regional and subregional platforms for disaster
risk reduction, to promoting coherence between disaster risk reduction, sustainable
development and efforts to mitigate climate change and the findings of the 2019
Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction , and recognizing that disaster
risk reduction efforts consistent with the Sendai Framework contribute to
strengthening resilience and climate change adaptation, and in this regard highlighting
synergies which help to ensure progress towards sustainable development,
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for
the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions –
economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development,
which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports
__________________
8 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul,
Turkey, 9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
9 Resolution 70/294, annex.
10 Resolution 69/137, annex II.
11 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Develo ping
States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
12 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius,
10−14 January 2005 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
13 Ibid., annex II.
14 Resolution 69/15, annex.
15 Resolution 69/283, annexes I and II.
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4 –15 September 1995 (United
Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
17 Resolution 71/256, annex.
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and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with
concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to
address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels
for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity,
Noting with concern the findings contained in the special report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the impacts of global warming of
1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas
emission pathways, Global Warming of 1.5°C, in the context of strengthening the
global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development and efforts
to eradicate poverty,
Noting also with concern the findings contained in the special report of the
Intergovernmental Panel entitled Climate Change, Desertification, Land Degradation,
Sustainable Land Management, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in
Terrestrial Ecosystems, and noting further with concern the findings contained in the
special report of the Intergovernmental Panel entitled The Ocean and Cryosphere in
a Changing Climate,
Reiterating its support for the objectives and guiding principles of the Green
Climate Fund, including a gender-sensitive approach in its process and operations,
and stressing its goal of ensuring efficient access to its resources t hrough simplified
approval procedures and enhancing readiness support, which will help to deliver
outcomes in developing countries so as to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change,
Welcoming the pledges made to the Green Climate Fund as a part of the current
first formal replenishment process, including at the 2019 Climate Action Summit
convened by the Secretary-General, held on 23 September, and at the high-level
pledging conference of the Green Climate Fund, held in Paris in October 2019,
totalling 9.99 billion United States dollars as at 12 November 2020,18 which,
including credits earned due to early payment and/or encashment based on the
reference exchange rate for the first replenishment of the Fun d, brings total pledges
to well over 10 billion United States dollars at today’s exchange rate, emphasizing
the importance of a successful process so that the Fund continues to be one of the
main channels to enable the flow of financial resources to develo ping countries under
the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change,
Stressing that low greenhouse gas emission development can create employment
opportunities and quality jobs, in accordance with nationally defined dev elopment
priorities,
Recalling the United Nations strategic plan for forests 2017–2030,19 and
acknowledging that all types of forests contribute substantially to climate change
mitigation and adaptation,
Noting that forests are addressed under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, and noting also article 5 of the Paris Agreement,
Recognizing that climate change is a major and growing driver of biodiversity
loss and ecosystem degradation and that the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity, and ecosystem functions and services, contribute significantly to climate
__________________
18 Green Climate Fund, status of pledges and contributions (first replenishment: GCF-1) as at
31 October 2020, available at www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/status-pledgesirm-
gcf1_0.pdf.
19 See resolution 71/285.
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change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and food security and
nutrition,
Welcoming the summit on biodiversity held on 30 September 2020, and looking
forward to the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity, to be held in Kunming, China, from 17 to 30 May 2021, which
will adopt a post-2020 global biodiversity framework,
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at all levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
Africa,20 and the Convention on Biological Diversity,21 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates,
Noting also the contribution of the United Nations Environment Assembly to
addressing the challenge of, inter alia, climate change, within its mandate and in
collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders,
Recalling its resolution 71/312 of 6 July 2017, entitled “Our ocean, our future:
call for action”, and looking forward to the 2021 United Nations Conference to
Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and
sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development,
Recognizing that, in undertaking its work, the United Nations should promote
the protection of the global climate for the well-being of present and future
generations of humankind,
Recalling the entry into force on 1 January 2019 of the Kigali Amendment to the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,22 welcoming its
ratification by 111 countries and one regional economic integration organization, while
encouraging further ratifications as soon as possible, and recalling the thirty -first
Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held on 14 and 15 November 2019
in Rome,
Noting with appreciation the interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature
convened by the President of the General Assembly under the overall theme “Mother
Earth approach” in the implementation of education and climate action in harmony
with nature, held on 22 April 2019, in commemoration of International Mother Earth
Day,
Noting the contributions of the International Civil Aviation Organization to
global efforts to combat climate change, and noting also the contributions of the
International Maritime Organization in this regard,
Encouraging Member States to advance innovative pathways to achieving
sustainable consumption and production in line with United Nations Environment
Assembly resolution 4/1,23
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time,
expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise
globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean acidification
__________________
20 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
21 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
22 UNEP/OzL.Pro.28/12, annex I.
23 UNEP/EA.4/Res.1.
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and the retreat of mountain glaciers, further threatening food security, water
availability and livelihoods, and efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and
dimensions and achieve sustainable development, recognizes the substantial risks
posed by climate change to health, and emphasizes in this regard that mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Urges Member States to adopt a climate- and environment-responsive
approach to COVID-19 recovery efforts, including by aligning investments and
domestic policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development24 and the goals
of the Paris Agreement for its parties, and the ultimate objective of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, in order to build back better and accelerate
a transition to low-emission, climate-resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies
and societies, in this regard stresses the need to strengthen the global response to
climate change by increasing the ability of countries to adapt to the adverse effects of
climate change, fostering resilience, accelerating the full implementation of all the
Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda and integrating climate change measures into
national policies, strategies and planning, urges parties to the Paris Agreement to
communicate or update ambitious nationally determined contributions by 2020,
noting that article 4, paragraph 3, of the Agreement states that each party’s successive
nationally determined contribution will represent a progression beyond the party’s
then current nationally determined contribution and ref lect its highest possible
ambition, reflecting its common but differentiated responsibilities and respective
capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances, encourages parties to
formulate and communicate long-term strategies on the basis of the best available
scientific knowledge and with a view to achieving the purpose of the Agreement and
make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas
emissions and climate-resilient development, and stresses the importance of
mobilizing means of implementation from all sources, including adequate financial
support, inter alia, for mitigation and adaptation, taking into account the specific
needs and special circumstances of developing countries, especially those that are
particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change;
3. Reaffirms the Paris Agreement and its early entry into force, encourages
all the parties to the Agreement to fully implement the Agreement and parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that have not yet done so
to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, where
appropriate, as soon as possible, and highlights the synergies between the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement;
4. Recalls that the Paris Agreement, in enhancing the implementation of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including its objective,
aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context
of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, including by holding the
increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to
1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would
significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, increasing the ability to
adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low
greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food
production, and making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low
greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development;
5. Welcomes the nationally determined contributions submitted to date, and
recalls that the regular updating of such contributions will reflect the highest possible
level of ambition, in the light of different national circumstan ces, and provide the
__________________
24 Resolution 70/1.
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information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding, in accordance with
the relevant decisions;
6. Notes with concern that the nationally determined contributions presented
thus far by the parties to the Paris Agreement are not sufficient and that action is
needed to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees
Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature
increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and underlines the
importance of the request in decision 1/CP.2125 of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention to the Parties to the Paris Agreement, as appropriate, to communicate or
update by 2020 their nationally determined contributions;
7. Stresses the urgent need to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen
resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events, and
in this regard urges Member States to continue to engage in adaptation planning
processes and to enhance cooperation, namely disaster risk reduction;
8. Welcomes the Paris Agreement work programme, commonly referred to as the
Katowice Rulebook, adopted at the third part of the first session of the Conference of the
Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement,26 and encourages
Parties to the Paris Agreement to finalize outstanding decisions in upcoming sessions;
9. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the twenty-fifth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention;27
10. Emphasizes the need for collective efforts to promote sustainable
development in its three dimensions in an innovative, coordinated, environmentally
sound, open and shared manner;
11. Underlines the need to address the economic, social and environmental
impacts of climate change, and emphasizes the need for action at all levels, to enhance
efforts to build resilience through, inter alia, the sustainable management of
ecosystems, and to build resilience to reduce the impacts and costs of natural disasters;
12. Recognizes that enhanced access to international climate finance is
important to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, and also recognizes the ongoing efforts in this regard;
13. Acknowledges the work undertaken under the auspices of the Marrakech
Partnership for Global Climate Action,28 and encourages non-party stakeholders to
scale up their efforts to address and respond to climate change;
14. Welcomes the holding of the 2019 Climate Action Summit convened by
the Secretary-General on 23 September, notes the multi-partner initiatives and
commitments presented during the Summit and notes also the Youth Climate Summit,
held on 21 September 2019;
15. Also welcomes the convening by the President of the General Assembly of
the high-level meeting during the seventy-third session of the General Assembly on
the issue of the protection of the global climate for present and future generations of
humankind in the context of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of
the 2030 Agenda;
16. Reiterates the resolve of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4
__________________
25 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1.
26 See FCCC/CP/2018/10/Add.1.
27 A/75/256, sect. I.
28 See FCCC/CP/2016/10/Add.1.
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of its decision 1/CP.19,29 to accelerate the full implementation of the decisions
constituting the agreed outcome pursuant to its decision 1/CP.1330 and to enhance
ambition in the pre-2020 period in line with decision 1/CP.21, in order to ensure the
highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention by all parties;
17. Welcomes the further acceptance or ratification of the Doha Amendment
to the Kyoto Protocol31 by 146 countries and one regional economic integration
organization, meeting the threshold for its entry into force, and welcomes the efforts
of those parties that were already implementing the Doha Amendment prior to its
entry into force;
18. Recognizes the importance for all countries of averting, minimizing and
addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change,
including extreme weather events and slow-onset events, and the role of sustainable
development in reducing the risk of loss and damage, and in that regard looks forward
to the outcome of the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and
Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, in the context of relevant decisions
of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change and article 8 of the Paris Agreement;
19. Looks forward to the hosting by the Government of the United Kingdom,
in Glasgow, of the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the sixteenth session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
and the third session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Paris Agreement, from 1 to 12 November 2021;
20. Urges Member States, taking into account that women and girls are often
disproportionately affected by climate change owing to gender inequalities and the
dependence of many women on natural resources for their livelihoods, to promote the
integration of a gender perspective into environmental and climate chan ge policies
and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources towards achieving the
full and equal participation of women in decision-making at all levels on
environmental issues, and stresses the need to address the challenges posed by climate
change that affect women and girls in particular, including through the full
implementation of the new gender action plan adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
twenty-third session,32 and looks forward to its review with a view to advancing
towards the goal of promoting gender-responsive and equal and meaningful
participation of women in support of climate action;
21. Recalls the action plan for integrating sustainable development practi ces
into Secretariat-wide operations and facilities management submitted by the
Secretary-General33 and endorsed in its resolution 72/219;
22. Notes the ongoing work and potential of the Local Communitie s and
Indigenous Peoples Platform of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, established for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best
practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner, and recalls
decision 2/CP.23 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Platform’s
__________________
29 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
30 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
31 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1.
32 FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1, decision 3/CP.23, annex.
33 A/72/82.
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purpose and functions34 and decision 2/CP.24 of the Conference of the Parties on the
Platform’s governance and further operationalization; 35
23. Decides to include in the United Nations calendar of conferences and
meetings for the years 2022 and 2023 the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to
the Convention and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for the years 2022 and 2023;
24. Invites the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change to report, through the Secretary-General, to the General Assembly at
its seventy-sixth session, on the work of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention, and decides to include in the provisional agenda of its se venty-sixth
session, under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub -item entitled
“Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
48th plenary meeting
21 December 2020
__________________
34 See FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1.
35 See FCCC/CP/2018/10/Add.1.
United Nations A/RES/76/205
General Assembly Distr.: General
5 January 2022
21-19256 (E) 100122
*2119256*
Seventy-sixth session
Agenda item 20 (d)
Sustainable development: protection of global climate for
present and future generations of humankind
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 17 December 2021
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/76/533/Add.4, para. 11)]
76/205. Protection of global climate for present and future generations
of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of 7 December
2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011, 67/210 of 21
December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013, 69/220 of 19 December 2014, 70/205
of 22 December 2015, 71/228 of 21 December 2016, 72/219 of 20 December 2017,
73/232 of 20 December 2018, 74/219 of 19 December 2019 and 75/217 of 21
December 2020 and other resolutions and decisions relating to the protection of the
global climate for present and future generations of humankind,
Recalling also the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1
and the Paris Agreement adopted under the Convention, 2 acknowledging that they are
the primary international, intergovernmental forums for negotiating the global
response to climate change, expressing determination to address decisively the threat
posed by climate change and environmental degradation, recognizing that the global
nature of climate change calls for the widest possible international cooperation aimed
at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and addressing
adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change, and noting with concern the
significant gap between the aggregate effect of parties’ mitigation pledges, in
particular their nationally determined contributions, as appropriate, and aggregate
emission pathways,
Recalling further the Paris Agreement, which, pursuant to article 2, paragraph 2,
thereof, will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but
__________________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex.
Please
recycle@
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differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different
national circumstances,
Concerned that a prolonged economic downturn following the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) pandemic will adversely impact the implementation of the Paris
Agreement and the ability of countries, especially developing countries, to adequately
respond to the adverse impacts of climate change, emphasizing that, in the response
to the crisis, countries should keep the Sustainable Development Goals and climate
commitments in focus, taking note with concern of the findings in the contribution of
Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, taking note of the “United in Science 2021” report compiled by the
World Meteorological Organization, and emphasizing the importance of countries
keeping their commitments to the implementation of the Paris Agreement,
Noting with great concern the severe negative impact on human health, safety
and well-being caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as
the severe disruption to societies and economies and the devastating impact on lives
and livelihoods, and that the poorest and most vulnerable are the hardest hit by the
pandemic, reaffirming the ambition to get back on track to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals by designing and implementing sustainable and inclusive
recovery strategies to accelerate progress towards the full implementation of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and to help to reduce the risk of and build
resilience to future shocks, crises and pandemics, including by strengthening health
systems and achieving universal health coverage, and recognizing that equitable and
timely access for all to safe, quality, effective and affordable COVID -19 vaccines,
therapeutics and diagnostics are an essential part of a global resp onse based on unity,
solidarity, renewed multilateral cooperation and the principle of leaving no one
behind,
Acknowledging that action on adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority
and a global challenge faced by all countries, in particular dev eloping countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, recognizing that the current need for adaptation is significant and that greater
levels of mitigation can reduce the need for additional adaptati on efforts, and bearing
in mind that the provision of scaled -up financial resources should aim to achieve a
balance between adaptation and mitigation,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 3 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development4 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation), 5
the 2005 World Summit Outcome,6 the outcome document of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”, 7 the outcomes of the sessions of the
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change and of the sessions of the Conference of the Parties se rving as the Meeting of
the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the Programme of Action for the Least Developed
Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations
Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to
__________________
3 Resolution 55/2.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South A frica,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and
corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
5 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
6 Resolution 60/1.
7 Resolution 66/288, annex.
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13 May 2011,8 the Political Declaration of the Comprehensive High -level Midterm
Review of the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least
Developed Countries for the Decade 2011 –2020, held in Antalya, Turkey, from 27 to
29 May 2016,9 the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries
for the Decade 2014–2024, adopted at the second United Nations Conference on
Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Vienna from 3 to 5 November 2014, 10 the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States,11 the Mauritius Declaration12 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further
Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States,13 the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action
(SAMOA) Pathway,14 the Sendai Declaration and the Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction 2015–2030,15 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 16 and
the New Urban Agenda, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Housing and
Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), h eld in Quito from 17 to 20 October
2016,17
Recalling also the contribution of various initiatives, including the Global
Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as regional and subregional platforms
for disaster risk reduction, to promoting coherenc e between disaster risk reduction,
sustainable development and efforts to mitigate climate change and the findings of
the 2019 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction , and recognizing that
disaster risk reduction efforts consistent with the Sen dai Framework contribute to
strengthening resilience and climate change adaptation, and in this regard highlighting
synergies which help to ensure progress towards sustainable development,
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for
the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requ irement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions –
economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Deve lopment,
which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports
__________________
8 Report of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Istanbul,
Turkey, 9–13 May 2011 (A/CONF.219/7), chap. II.
9 Resolution 70/294, annex.
10 Resolution 69/137, annex II.
11 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
12 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius,
10–14 January 2005 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
13 Ibid., annex II.
14 Resolution 69/15, annex.
15 Resolution 69/283, annexes I and II.
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4 –15 September 1995 (United
Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
17 Resolution 71/256, annex.
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and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with
concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to
address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels
for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity,
Noting with concern the findings contained in the special report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the impacts of global warming of 1.5
degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas
emission pathways, Global Warming of 1.5°C, in the context of strengthening the
global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development and efforts
to eradicate poverty,
Noting also with concern the findings contained in the special report of the
Intergovernmental Panel entitled Climate Change, Desertification, Land Degradation,
Sustainable Land Management, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in
Terrestrial Ecosystems, and noting further with concern the findings contained in the
special report of the Intergovernmental Panel entitled The Ocean and Cryosphere in
a Changing Climate,
Reiterating its support for the objectives and guiding principles of the Green
Climate Fund, including a gender-sensitive approach in its process and operations,
and stressing its goal of ensuring efficient access to its resources through simplified
approval procedures and enhancing readiness support, which will help to deliver
outcomes in developing countries so as to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change,
Recalling the pledges made to the Green Climate Fund as a part of the current
first formal replenishment process, including at the Climate Action Summit convened
by the Secretary-General, on 23 September 2019, and at the high -level pledging
conference of the Green Climate Fund, held in Paris in October 2019, to talling 9.99
billion United States dollars as at 12 November 2020, 18 which, including credits
earned due to early payment and/or encashment based on the reference exchange rate
for the first replenishment of the Fund, brings total pledges to well over 10 b illion
United States dollars at today’s exchange rate, emphasizing the importance of a
successful process so that the Fund continues to be one of the main channels to enable
the flow of financial resources to developing countries under the Paris Agreement and
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
Stressing that low greenhouse gas emission development can create employment
opportunities and quality jobs, in accordance with nationally defined development
priorities,
Recalling the United Nations strategic plan for forests 2017 –2030,19 and
acknowledging that all types of forests contribute substantially to climate change
mitigation and adaptation,
Noting that forests are addressed under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, and noting also article 5 of the Paris Agreement,
Recognizing that climate change is a major and growing driver of biodiversity
loss and ecosystem degradation and that the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity, and ecosystem function s and services, contribute significantly to climate
change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and food security and
nutrition,
__________________
18 Green Climate Fund, status of pledges and contributions (first replenishment: GCF -1) as at
31 October 2020, available at www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/status -
pledges-irm-gcf1_0.pdf.
19 See resolution 71/285.
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Recalling the summit on biodiversity held on 30 September 2020, welcoming
the first part of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity, held in a hybrid format in Kunming, China, and
looking forward to the second part of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties, to be held in the spring of 2022, and its adoption of a post -2020 global
biodiversity framework by parties to the Convention,
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at a ll levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
Africa,20 and the Convention on Biological Diversity, 21 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates,
Noting also the contribution of the United Nations Environment Assembly to
addressing the challenge of, inter alia, climate change, within i ts mandate and in
collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders,
Recalling its resolution 71/312 of 6 July 2017, entitled “Our ocean, our future:
call for action”, and looking forward to the United Nations Conference to Support the
Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use
the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, in 2022,
Recognizing that, in undertaking its work, the Unit ed Nations should promote
the protection of the global climate for the well -being of present and future
generations of humankind,
Recalling the entry into force on 1 January 2019 of the Kigali Amendment to
the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,22 welcoming its
ratification by 128 countries and one regional economic integration organization,
while encouraging further ratifications as soon as possible, and recalling the thirty -
first Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held on 14 and 15 November
2019 in Rome,
Recalling with appreciation the interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature
convened by the President of the General Assembly under the overall theme “Mother
Earth approach” in the implementation of education and climate action in harmony
with nature, held on 22 April 2019, in commemoration of International Mother Earth
Day,
Noting the contributions of the International Civil Aviation Organization to
global efforts to combat climate change, and noting also the contributions of the
International Maritime Organization in this regard,
Encouraging Member States to advance innovative pathways to achieving
sustainable consumption and production in line with United Nations Environment
Assembly resolution 4/1,23
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time,
expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise
globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean acidification
and the retreat of mountain glaciers, furth er threatening food security, water
__________________
20 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
21 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
22 UNEP/OzL.Pro.28/12, annex I.
23 UNEP/EA.4/Res.1.
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availability and livelihoods, and efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and
dimensions and achieve sustainable development, recognizes the substantial risks
posed by climate change to health, and emphasizes in th is regard that mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Urges Member States to adopt a climate- and environment-responsive
approach to COVID-19 recovery efforts, including by aligning investments and
domestic policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 24 and the goals
of the Paris Agreement for its parties, and the ultimate objective of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, in order to build back better and
accelerate a transition to low-emission, climate-resilient, inclusive and sustainable
economies and societies, in this regard stresses the need to strengthen the global
response to climate change by increasing the ability of countries to adapt to the
adverse effects of climate change, fostering resilience, accelerating the full
implementation of all the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda and integrating
climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning, urges parties
to the Paris Agreement to communicate or update ambitious nationally determined
contributions by 2020, noting that article 4, paragraph 3, of the Agreement states that
each party’s successive nationally determined contribution will represent a
progression beyond the party’s th en current nationally determined contribution and
reflect its highest possible ambition, reflecting its common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national
circumstances, encourages parties to formulat e and communicate long-term strategies
on the basis of the best available scientific knowledge and with a view to achieving
the purpose of the Agreement and make financial flows consistent with a pathway
towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate -resilient development, and
stresses the importance of mobilizing means of implementation from all sources,
including adequate financial support, inter alia, for mitigation and adaptation, taking
into account the specific needs and special circumstances of dev eloping countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change;
3. Reaffirms the Paris Agreement and its early entry into force, encourages
all the parties to the Agreement to fully implement the Agreement an d parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that have not yet done so
to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, where
appropriate, as soon as possible, and highlights the synergies between t he
implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement;
4. Recalls that the Paris Agreement, in enhancing the implementation of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including its objective,
aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context
of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, including by holding the
increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5
degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly
reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, increasing the ability to adapt to the
adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse
gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production, and
making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas
emissions and climate-resilient development;
5. Welcomes the nationally determined contributions submitted to date, and
recalls that the regular updating of such contributions will reflect the highest possible
level of ambition, in the light of different national circumstances, and provide the
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24 Resolution 70/1.
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information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding, in accordance with
the relevant decisions;
6. Notes with concern that, according to the synthesis report on nationally
determined contributions25 recently published by the secretariat of the United Nati ons
Framework Convention on Climate Change, the nationally determined contributions
presented thus far by the parties to the Paris Agreement are not sufficient and that
action is needed to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below
2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial levels, underlines the
importance of the request in decision 1/CP.21 26 of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention to the Parties to the Paris Agreement, as appropriate, to communicate or
update by 2020 their nationally determined contributions, and also notes with concern
the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in the first part of the
Sixth Assessment Report entitled Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis,
in which the Intergovernmental Panel indicates that global warming of 1.5 degrees
Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will be exceeded during th e
twenty-first century, unless deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions occur in the
coming decades;
7. Stresses the urgent need to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen
resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events, and
in this regard urges Member States to continue to engage in adaptation planning
processes and to enhance cooperation, namely disaster risk reduction;
8. Welcomes the Paris Agreement work programme, commonly referred to as
the Katowice Rulebook, adopted at the third part of the first session of the Conference
of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, 27 and
encourages Parties to the Paris Agreement to finalize outstanding decisions in
upcoming sessions;
9. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the twenty -fifth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention; 28
10. Emphasizes the need for collective efforts to promote sustainable
development in its three dimensions in an innovative, coordinated, environmentally
sound, open and shared manner;
11. Underlines the need to address the economic, social and environmental
impacts of climate change, and emphasizes the need for action at a ll levels, to enhance
efforts to build resilience through, inter alia, the sustainable management of
ecosystems, and to build resilience to reduce the impacts and costs of natural
disasters;
12. Recognizes that enhanced access to international climate fi nance is
important to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, and also recognizes the ongoing efforts in this regard;
13. Notes with deep regret that the goal of developed countries party to
mobilize jointly 100 billion United States dollars per year by 2020 in the context of
meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation has not yet been
met, while welcoming the increased pledges made by many developed countries party
__________________
25 FCCC/PA/CMA/2021/8/Rev.1.
26 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1.
27 See FCCC/CP/2018/10/Add.1.
28 A/75/256, sect. I.
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and the “Climate finance delivery plan: meeting the US$100 billion goal” and the
collective actions contained therein, urges developed countries party to fully deliver
on the goal of 100 billion United State s dollars urgently and through 2025, and
emphasizes the importance of transparency in the implementation of their pledges,
recalls the decisions to set a new collective quantified climate finance goal from a
floor of 100 billion United States dollars per year and by 2024, and welcomes the
establishment of an ad hoc work programme for this purpose, notes with concern that
the current provision of climate finance for adaptation remains insufficient to respond
to worsening climate change impacts in developing countries party, welcomes the
recent pledges made by many developed countries party to increase their provision of
climate finance to support adaptation in developing countries party in response to
their growing needs, including contributions made to the Adaptation Fund and the
Least Developed Countries Fund, which represent significant progress compared with
previous efforts, and urges developed countries party to at least double their collective
provision of climate finance for adaptation to developing countries party from 2019
levels by 2025, in the context of achieving a balance between mitigation and
adaptation in the provision of scaled-up financial resources, and emphasizes the
urgency of scaling up action and support, including finance, capacity -building and
technology transfer, to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce
vulnerability to climate change in line with the best available science, taking into
account the priorities and needs of developing countries party;
14. Acknowledges the work undertaken under the auspices of the Marrakech
Partnership for Global Climate Action, 29 and encourages non-party stakeholders to
scale up their efforts to address and respond to climate change;
15. Recalls the holding of the Climate Action Summit convened by the
Secretary-General on 23 September 2019, also recalls the multi-partner initiatives and
commitments presented during the Summit and further recalls the Youth Climate
Summit, held on 21 September 2019;
16. Also recalls the convening by the President of the General Assembly of
the high-level meeting during the seventy-third session of the General Assembly on
the issue of the protection of the global climate for present and future generations of
humankind in the context of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of
the 2030 Agenda;
17. Reiterates the resolve of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as set out in paragraphs 3 and 4
of its decision 1/CP.19,30 to accelerate the full implementation of the decisions
constituting the agreed outcome pursuant to its decision 1/CP.13 31 and to enhance
ambition in the pre-2020 period in line with decision 1/CP.21, in order to ensure the
highest possible mitigation efforts under the Convention by all parties;
18. Welcomes the further acceptance or ratification of the Doha Amendment
to the Kyoto Protocol32 by 146 countries and one regional economic integration
organization, meeting the threshold for its entry into force, and welcomes the efforts
of those parties that were already implementing the Doha Amendment prior to its
entry into force;
19. Recognizes the importance for all countries of averting, minimizing and
addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change,
including extreme weather events and slow-onset events, and the role of sustainable
development in reducing the risk of loss and damage, and in that regard looks forward
to the outcome of the review of the Warsaw International Me chanism for Loss and
__________________
29 See FCCC/CP/2016/10/Add.1.
30 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
31 See FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
32 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1.
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Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, in the context of relevant decisions
of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change and article 8 of the Paris Agreement;
20. Welcomes the convening of the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol and the third session of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, presided over by the Government
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in partnership with the
Government of Italy, in Glasgow, from 31 October to 13 November 2021, and the
adoption of its outcomes by parties, including the Glasgow Climate Pact, and looks
forward to its full and urgent implementation, and further takes note of the Glasgow
Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use;
21. Looks forward to the hosting by the Government of Egypt of the twenty -
seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the seventeenth session of the Conference of the
Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the fourth
session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Paris Agreement, in 2022;
22. Urges Member States, taking into account that women and girls are ofte n
disproportionately affected by climate change owing to gender inequalities and the
dependence of many women on natural resources for their livelihoods, to promote the
integration of a gender perspective into environmental and climate change policies
and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources towards achieving the
full and equal participation of women in decision -making at all levels on
environmental issues, and stresses the need to address the challenges posed by climate
change that affect women and girls in particular, including through the full
implementation of the new gender action plan adopted by the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its
twenty-third session,33 and looks forward to its review with a view to advancing
towards the goal of promoting gender-responsive and equal and meaningful
participation of women in support of climate action;
23. Recalls the action plan for integrating sustainable development practices
into Secretariat-wide operations and facilities management submitted by the
Secretary-General34 and endorsed in its resolution 72/219;
24. Notes the ongoing work and potential of the Local Communities and
Indigenous Peoples Platform of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, established for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best
practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner, and recalls
decision 2/CP.23 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Platform’s
purpose and functions35 and decision 2/CP.24 of the Conference of the Parties on the
Platform’s governance and further operationalization; 36
25. Decides to include in the United Nations calendar of conferences and
meetings for the years 2022 and 2023 the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to
the Convention and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for the years 2022 and 2023;
26. Invites the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change to report, through the Secretary -General, to the General Assembly at
its seventy-seventh session, on the work of the Conference of the Parties to the
__________________
33 FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1, decision 3/CP.23, annex.
34 A/72/82.
35 See FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1.
36 See FCCC/CP/2018/10/Add.1.
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Convention, and decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy -seventh
session, under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub -item entitled
“Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
54th plenary meeting
17 December 2021
United Nations A/RES/77/165
General Assembly Distr.: General
21 December 2022
22-28782 (E) 281222
*2228782*
Seventy-seventh session
Agenda item 18 (d)
Sustainable development: protection of global climate for
present and future generations of humankind
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 14 December 2022
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/77/443/Add.4, para. 11)]
77/165. Protection of global climate for present and future genera tions
of humankind
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988, 54/222 of 22 December
1999, 62/86 of 10 December 2007, 63/32 of 26 November 2008, 64/73 of 7 December
2009, 65/159 of 20 December 2010, 66/200 of 22 December 2011, 67/210 of
21 December 2012, 68/212 of 20 December 2013, 69/220 of 19 December 2014,
70/205 of 22 December 2015, 71/228 of 21 December 2016, 72/219 of 20 December
2017, 73/232 of 20 December 2018, 74/219 of 19 December 2019, 75/217 of
21 December 2020 and 76/205 of 17 December 2021 and other resolutions and
decisions relating to the protection of the global climate for present a nd future
generations of humankind,
Recalling also the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1
and the Paris Agreement,2 acknowledging that they are the primary international,
intergovernmental forums for negotiating the global response to climate change,
expressing determination to address decisively the threat posed by climate change and
environmental degradation, recognizing that the global nature of climate change calls
for the widest possible international cooperation aimed at accele rating the reduction
of global greenhouse gas emissions and addressing adaptation to the adverse impacts
of climate change, and noting with concern the significant gap between the aggregate
effect of parties’ mitigation pledges, in particular their nationa lly determined
contributions, as appropriate, and aggregate emission pathways,
Recalling further the Paris Agreement, which, pursuant to article 2, paragraph 2,
thereof, will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but
__________________
1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
2 Adopted under the UNFCCC in FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21.
Please
recycle@
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differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different
national circumstances,
Recalling the outcomes of the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and of the sessions of t he
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol,
as well as the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Paris Agreement, and urging their full implementation,
Recalling also the entry into force on 1 January 2019 of the Kigali Amendment
to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 3 welcoming its
ratification by 142 countries and one regional economic integration organization,
while encouraging further ratifica tions as soon as possible, and recalling the thirty -
fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held from 31 October to
4 November 2022 in Montreal, Canada,
Recalling further the United Nations Millennium Declaration,4 the Johannesburg
Declaration on Sustainable Development5 and the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation), 6
the 2005 World Summit Outcome,7 the outcome document of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to
22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”, 8 the Political Declaration of the
Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Istanbul
Programme of Action for the Least Develop ed Countries for the Decade 2011–2020,
held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 27 to 29 May 2016, 9 the Vienna Programme of Action
for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014 –2024, adopted at the
second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in
Vienna from 3 to 5 November 2014,10 the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States, 11 the Mauritius Declaration12 and
the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of A ction
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 13 the SIDS
Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, 14 the Sendai Declaration and
the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 –2030,15 the Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action,16 the New Urban Agenda, adopted at the United
Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III),
__________________
3 UNEP/OzL.Pro.28/12, annex I.
4 Resolution 55/2.
5 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and
corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
6 Ibid., resolution 2, annex.
7 Resolution 60/1.
8 Resolution 66/288, annex.
9 Resolution 70/294, annex.
10 Resolution 69/137, annex II.
11 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II .
12 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius,
10−14 January 2005 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A. 4 and corrigendum),
chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
13 Ibid., annex II.
14 Resolution 69/15, annex.
15 Resolution 69/283, annexes I and II.
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4 –15 September 1995 (United
Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
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held in Quito from 17 to 20 October 2016, 17 and the Doha Programme of Action for
the Least Developed Countries for the decade 2022 –2031, adopted at the first part of
the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in New
York on 17 March 2022,18
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for
the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions –
economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development,
which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports
and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with
concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to
address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels
for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity,
Noting with concern that a prolonged economic downturn following the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic can adversely impact the implementation
of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris
Agreement and the ability of countries, especially developing countries, to adequa tely
respond to the adverse impacts of climate change, and emphasizing that, in the
response to the crisis, countries should keep the Sustainable Development Goals and
climate commitments in focus,
Noting with great concern the severe negative impact on human health, safety
and well-being caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as
the severe disruption to societies and economies and the devastating impact on lives
and livelihoods, and that the poorest and most vulnerable are the har dest hit by the
pandemic, reaffirming the ambition to get back on track to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals by designing and implementing sustainable and inclusive
recovery strategies to accelerate progress towards the full implementation of the 2 030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and to help to reduce the risk of and build
resilience to future shocks, crises and pandemics, including by strengthening health
systems and achieving universal health coverage, and recognizing that equitable and
timely access for all to safe, quality, effective and affordable COVID -19 vaccines,
therapeutics and diagnostics are an essential part of a global response based on unity,
solidarity, renewed multilateral cooperation and the principle of leaving no one
behind,
Recognizing the negative impacts of climate change and the COVID -19
pandemic on efforts to achieve a substantial reduction in disaster-related mortality
and disaster-related losses and the deepened vulnerabilities to disasters and exposure
to hazards, recalling the contribution of various initiatives, including the Global
Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as regional and subregional platforms
for disaster risk reduction, and reaffirming the importance of coherence between
__________________
17 Resolution 71/256, annex.
18 Resolution 76/258, annex.
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disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and the response to the threat of
climate change and the findings of the 2022 Global Assessment Report on Disaster
Risk Reduction, and recognizing that disaster risk reduction efforts consistent with
the Sendai Framework contribute to strengthening resilience and climate change
adaptation and that the development and implementation of risk -informed strategic
plans, policies, programmes and investments and national and local disaster risk
reduction strategies are essential for su stainable development and the achievement of
the Sustainable Development Goals, and in this regard looks forward to the high -level
meeting of the General Assembly on the midterm review of the implementation of the
Sendai Framework to be held in New York on 18 and 19 May 2023,
Noting with concern the findings contained in the special reports 19 of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as findings from the
contributions of the Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of
the Intergovernmental Panel,
Acknowledging that action on adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority
and a global challenge faced by all countries, in particular developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, recognizing that the current need for adaptation is significant and that greater
levels of mitigation can reduce the need for additional adaptation efforts, and
recognizing also the importance of the adequacy and predictability of adaptation
finance and of the Adaptation Fund and that the provision of scaled -up financial
resources should be aimed at achieving a balance between adaptation and mitigation,
Reiterating its support for the objectives and guiding principles of the Gr een
Climate Fund, including a gender-sensitive approach in its process and operations,
and stressing its goal of ensuring efficient access to its resources through simplified
approval procedures and enhancing readiness support, which will help to deliver
outcomes in developing countries so as to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change,
Recalling with appreciation the pledges made to the Green Climate Fund
towards the first formal replenishment period o f the Fund, resulting in a confirmed
pledge of 9.866 billion United States dollars, and encouraging further pledges and
contributions towards the second replenishment,
Recognizing that climate change is a major and growing driver of biodiversity
loss and ecosystem degradation and that the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity, and ecosystem functions and services, contribute significantly to climate
change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, the resilience of agriculture
and food systems, and food security and nutrition,
Recalling the summit on biodiversity held on 30 September 2020, welcoming
the first part of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity, held in a hybrid for mat in Kunming, China, and
looking forward to the second part of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties, to be held in Montreal, Canada, from 7 to 19 December 2022, and its adoption
of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework by parties to the Convention,
Noting the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation at all levels among
the parties to and secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Thos e
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in
__________________
19 Global Warming of 1.5 °C, Climate Change and Land: An IPCC Special Report on Climate
Change, Desertification, Land Degradation, Sustainable Land Management, Food Security, and
Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Terrestrial Ecosystems and The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing
Climate.
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Africa,20 and the Convention on Biological Diversity, 21 as appropriate, while
respecting their individual mandates,
Recalling the initiative of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on
Biological Diversity at its fourteenth meeting to promote a coherent approach
between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, particularly in Africa (the Rio conventions), to address biodiversity
loss, climate change and land and ecosystem degradation,
Noting the contribution of the United Nations Environment Assembly to
addressing the challenge of, inter alia, climate change, within its mandate and in
collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders,
Recalling with appreciation the interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature
convened by the President of the General Assembly under the overall theme
“Harmony with Nature and biodiversity: contributions of ecological economics and
Earth-centred law” in the implementation of education and climate action in harmony
with nature, held on 22 April 2022, in commemoration of International Mother Earth
Day,
Recalling the United Nations strategic plan for forests 2017 –2030,22 and
acknowledging that all types of forests contribute substantially to climate change
mitigation and adaptation, and n oting with appreciation recent forest-related
declarations, pledges and developments, including but not limited to the forest -
relevant contributions of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use,
Noting that forests are addressed under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, noting also article 5 of the Paris Agreement, in
particular the importance of taking action to implement and support, including
through results-based payments, the Warsaw Framework for REDD-plus23 and
alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for
the integral and sustainable management of forests, and recalling decision 9/CP.19 of
the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, 24
Reaffirming its resolution 76/296 of 21 July 2022, entitled “Our ocean, our
future, our responsibility”, in which it endorsed the political declaration of the 2022
United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable
Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development, recognizing its contribution to the
implementation of Goal 14 in the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development, while underlining the interlinkages and potential
synergies between Goal 14 and the other Goals, recognizing also that the
implementation of Goal 14 can contribute significantly to the realization of the 2030
Agenda, and in this regard looking forwar d to a third Ocean Conference, to be held
in 2025,
Noting with concern that climate change is one of the factors that can exacerbate
global water stress and the need for climate adaptation strategies to address water
issues, acknowledging that disasters, many of which are exacerbated by climate
change and are increasing in frequency and intensity, significantly impede progress
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20 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.
21 Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
22 See resolution 71/285.
23 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1, decisions 9/CP.19 to 15/CP.19; see also FCCC/CP/2013/10 and
FCCC/CP/2013/10/Corr.1, para. 44.
24 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1.
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towards sustainable development, and looking forward to the convening of the United
Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensiv e Review of the Implementation
of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable
Development”, 2018–2028, in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023, referred to as
the United Nations 2023 Water Conference,
Stressing that low greenhouse gas emission development can create employment
opportunities and quality jobs, in accordance with nationally defined development
priorities,
Noting the contributions of the International Civil Aviation Organization to
global efforts to combat climate change, and noting also the contributions of the
International Maritime Organization in this regard,
Encouraging Member States to pursue efforts to achieve sustainable
consumption and production in line with United Nations Environment A ssembly
resolution 5/11 of 2 March 2022,25
Recognizing that, in undertaking its work, the United Nations should promote
the protection of the global climate for the well -being of present and future
generations of humankind,
1. Reaffirms that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time,
expresses profound alarm that the emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise
globally, remains deeply concerned that all countries, particularly developing
countries, are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, land degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean acidification
and the retreat of mountain glaciers, further threatening food security, water
availability and livelihoods, and efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and
dimensions and achieve sustainable development, recognizes the substantial risks
posed by climate change to health, and emph asizes in this regard that mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change represent an immediate and urgent global priority;
2. Urges Member States to adopt a climate- and environment-responsive
approach to COVID-19 recovery efforts, including by alignin g investments and
domestic policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 26 and the goals
of the Paris Agreement for its parties, and the ultimate objective of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, in order to achieve a sust ainable, resilient
and inclusive recovery, and accelerate a transition to low -emission, climate-resilient,
inclusive and sustainable economies and societies, in this regard stresses the need to
strengthen the global response to climate change by increasing the ability of countries
to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, fostering resilience, accelerating the
full implementation of all the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda and integrating
climate change measures into national policies, strategi es and planning, urges parties
to the Paris Agreement to communicate or update ambitious nationally determined
contributions, noting that article 4, paragraph 3, of the Agreement states that each
party’s successive nationally determined contribution will r epresent a progression
beyond the party’s then current nationally determined contribution and reflect its
highest possible ambition, reflecting its common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities, in the light of different national c ircumstances,
encourages parties to formulate and communicate long -term strategies on the basis of
the best available scientific knowledge and with a view to achieving the purpose of
the Agreement and make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low
greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development, and stresses the
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25 UNEP/EA.5/Res.11.
26 Resolution 70/1.
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importance of mobilizing means of implementation from all sources, including
adequate financial support, inter alia, for mitigation and adaptation, taking into
account the specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change;
3. Encourages all the parties to the Paris Agreement to fully implement the
Agreement, and highlights the synergies between the implementation of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Agreement;
4. Recalls that the Paris Agreement, in enhancing the implementation of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including its objective,
aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context
of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, including by holding the
increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Cels ius above
pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to
1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would
significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, increasing the ability to
adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low
greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food
production, and making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low
greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development;
5. Reaffirms the Paris Agreement temperature goal of holding the increase in
the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial
levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius
above pre-industrial levels, recognizes that the impacts of climate change will be
much lower at the temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared with
2 degrees Celsius, and resolves to pursue efforts to limit the t emperature increase to
1.5 degrees Celsius, also recognizes that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees
Celsius requires rapid, deep and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas
emissions, including reducing global carbon dioxide emissions by 45 per c ent by 2030
relative to the 2010 level and to net zero around mid -century, as well as deep
reductions in other greenhouse gases, further recognizes that this requires accelerated
action in this critical decade, on the basis of the best available scientific knowledge
and equity, reflecting common but differentiated responsibilities and respective
capabilities in the light of different national circumstances and in the context of
sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, and, in accordance wit h
article 4 of the Paris Agreement, reiterates the aim to reach global peaking of
greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, recognizing that peaking will take
longer for developing countries, and to undertake rapid reductions thereafter in
accordance with best available science, so as to achieve a balance between
anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the
second half of this century, on the basis of equity, and in the context of sustainable
development and efforts to eradicate poverty;
6. Welcomes the nationally determined contributions submitted to date, and
recalls that the regular updating of such contributions will reflect the highest possible
level of ambition, in the light of different national circumstanc es, and provide the
information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding, in accordance with
the relevant decisions;
7. Notes with concern that, according to the synthesis report on nationally
determined contributions27 published by the secretariat of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, the nationally determined contributions
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27 FCCC/PA/CMA/2021/8/Rev.1.
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presented thus far by the parties to the Paris Agreement are not sufficient and that
action is needed to hold the increase in the global average t emperature to well below
2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial levels, urges parties
that have not yet communicated new or updated nationally determ ined contributions
to do so as soon as possible, and encourages parties to communicate in 2025
nationally determined contributions with an end date of 2035, in 2030 a nationally
determined contribution with an end date of 2040 and so forth every five years
thereafter;
8. Recalls article 3 and article 4, paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 11, of the Paris
Agreement, requests countries to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their
nationally determined contributions, as necessary, to align with the Paris Agreement
temperature goal by the end of 2022, taking into account different national
circumstances, and urges parties that have not yet done so to communicate, as soon
as possible, long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies referred
to in article 4, paragraph 19, of the Paris Agreement towards just transitions to net -
zero emissions by or around mid -century, taking into account different national
circumstances, and to update the strategies regularly, as appropriate, in line with the
best available science;
9. Notes with serious concern the findings from the contribution of Working
Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, in which the Intergovernmental Panel indicates that global warming of
1.5 degrees Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will be exceeded
during the twenty-first century, unless deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
occur in the coming decades, from the contribution of Working Group II, in which the
Intergovernmental Panel indicates that human-induced climate change has caused
widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people
reaching some adaptation limits and that adaptation plays a key role in reducing
exposure and vulnerability to climate change, and from the contribution of Working
Group III, in which the Intergovernmental Panel stressed that accelerated and
equitable climate action in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts is
critical to sustainable development;
10. Stresses the urgent need to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen
resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events, and
in this regard urges Member States to continue to engage in adaptation planning
processes and to enhance cooperation at all levels, including with regard to disaster
risk reduction;
11. Welcomes the Paris Agreement work programme, commonly referred to as
the Katowice Rulebook, adopted at the third part of the first session of the Conference
of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, 28 and
welcomes with appreciation the completion of the Paris Agreement work programme
by the third session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Paris Agreement, including the adoption of the decisions relating to
article 4, paragraphs 10 and 12, article 6, paragraphs 2, 4 and 8, article 7, paragraph 12,
and article 13;
12. Takes note of the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change on the twenty -sixth session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention; 29
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28 See FCCC/CP/2018/10/Add.1.
29 A/77/215, sect. I.
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13. Emphasizes the need for collective efforts to promote sustainable
development in its three dimensions in an innovative, coordinated, en vironmentally
sound, open and shared manner;
14. Underlines the need to address the economic, social and environmental
impacts of climate change, emphasizes the need for action at all levels, to enhance
efforts to build resilience through, inter alia, th e sustainable management of
ecosystems, and to build resilience to reduce the impacts and costs of climate -related
disasters, and in that regard encourages Governments and relevant organizations to
integrate nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based approaches and other management
and conservation approaches, in line with United Nations Environment Assembly
resolution 5/5 of 2 March 2022,30 to climate change adaptation and mitigation and
disaster risk reduction into their strategic planning, as appropriate, a cross sectors;
15. Recognizes that the enhanced access to international climate finance is
important to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries,
especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
change, and also recognizes the ongoing efforts in this regard;
16. Notes with deep regret that the goal of developed country parties to
mobilize jointly 100 billion United States dollars per year by 2020 in the context of
meaningful mitigation actions an d transparency on implementation has not yet been
met, while welcoming the increased pledges made by many developed country
parties, and the “Climate finance delivery plan: meeting the US$100 billion goal” and
the collective actions contained therein, urge s developed country parties to fully
deliver on the goal of 100 billion United States dollars urgently and through to 2025,
and emphasizes the importance of transparency in the implementation of their
pledges;
17. Recalls the decisions to set a new collective quantified goal on climate
finance from a floor of 100 billion United States dollars per year and prior to 2025,
and welcomes the establishment of an ad hoc work programme for this purpose;
18. Notes with concern that the current provision of climate finance for
adaptation remains insufficient to respond to worsening climate change impacts in
developing country parties, welcomes the recent pledges made by many developed
country parties to increase their provision of climate finance to support adaptati on in
developing country parties in response to their growing needs, including contributions
made to the Adaptation Fund and the Least Developed Countries Fund, which
represent significant progress compared with previous efforts, and urges developed
country parties to at least double their collective provision of climate finance for
adaptation to developing country parties from 2019 levels by 2025, in the context of
achieving a balance between mitigation and adaptation in the provision of scaled -up
financial resources, and emphasizes the urgency of scaling up action and support,
including finance, capacity-building and technology transfer, to enhance adaptive
capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change in line with
the best available science, taking into account the priorities and needs of developing
country parties;
19. Calls upon multilateral development banks, other financial institutions and
the private sector to enhance finance mobilization in order to deliver the scale of
resources needed to achieve climate plans, particularly for adaptation, and encourages
parties to continue to explore innovative approaches and instruments for mobilizing
finance for adaptation from private sources;
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30 UNEP/EA.5/Res.5.
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20. Recognizes the importance for all countries of averting, minimizing and
addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of cl imate change,
including extreme weather events and slow-onset events, and the role of sustainable
development in reducing the risk of loss and damage, and in that regard looks forward
to the outcome of the review in 2024 of the Warsaw International Mechani sm for Loss
and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, in the context of relevant
decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change and article 8 of the Paris Agreement, as well as of
relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Paris Agreement;
21. Reiterates the urgency of scaling up action and support, as appropriate,
including finance, technology transfer and capacity -building, for implementing
approaches for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with
the adverse effects of climate change in developing country parties that are
particularly vulnerable to these effects;
22. Urges Member States, taking into account that women and girls are often
disproportionately affected by climate change owing to gender inequalities and the
dependence of many women on natural resources for their livelihoods, to promote the
integration of a gender perspective into environmental and climate change policies
and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources towards achieving the
full and equal participation of women in decision -making at all levels on
environmental issues, stresses the need to address the challenges posed by c limate
change that affect women and girls in particular, and calls upon countries to
strengthen the implementation of the enhanced Lima work programme on gender and
its gender action plan adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change at its twenty -fifth session;31
23. Notes the ongoing work and potential of the Local Communities and
Indigenous Peoples Platform of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, established for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best
practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner, recalls
decision 2/CP.23 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Platform’s
purpose and functions32 and decision 16/CP.26 of the Conference of the Parties on the
continuation of the mandate of the Facilitative Working Group of the Local
Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform, 33 and also recalls decision 1/CMA.3
of the Conference of the Parties on the active involvement of Ind igenous Peoples and
local communities in designing and implementing climate action; 34
24. Recalls, in line with decision 1/CMA.3, the call to accelerate the
development, deployment and dissemination of technologies and the adoption of
policies to transition towards low-emission energy systems, including by rapidly
scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures,
including accelerating efforts towards the phase -down of unabated coal power and
phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the
poorest and most vulnerable, in line with national circumstances, and recognizing the
need for support towards a just transition;
25. Recognizes the invitation to the relevant work programmes and constituted
bodies under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to
consider how to integrate and strengthen ocean -based action in their existing
mandates and workplans and to report on these activities within the existing reporting
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31 FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1, decision 3/CP.25, annex.
32 See FCCC/CP/2017/11/Add.1.
33 See FCCC/CP/2021/12/Add.2.
34 See FCCC/PA/CMA/2021/10/Add.1.
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processes, as appropriate, and welcomes in this regard the first annual dialogue, held
in Bonn, Germany, in June 2022;
26. Congratulates the 147 countries and one regional economic integration
organization that have accepted or ratified the Doha Amendment to t he Kyoto
Protocol,35 welcomes the entry into force of the Amendment on 31 December 2020,
which was the end date of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, and
strongly urges countries that have accepted or ratified the Amendment to implement
their pre-2020 commitments to the fullest extent as soon as possible;
27. Welcomes the convening of the twenty-seventh session of the Conference
of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties
serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, presided over by the
Government of Egypt in Sharm el-Sheikh, from 6 to 20 November 2022, and the
adoption of their outcomes by parties, and looks forward to their full and urgent
implementation;
28. Looks forward to the hosting by the Government of the United Arab
Emirates of the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the eighteenth session of the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
and the fifth session of the Conference of the Parti es serving as the Meeting of the
Parties to the Paris Agreement, in 2023;
29. Acknowledges the work undertaken under the auspices of the Marrakech
Partnership for Global Climate Action, 36 and encourages non-party stakeholders to
scale up their efforts to address and respond to climate change;
30. Recalls the action plan for integrating sustainable development practices
into Secretariat-wide operations and facilities management submitted by the
Secretary-General,37 as endorsed in resolution 72/219;
31. Notes the invitation by the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to the
Secretary-General to convene world leaders in 2023 to consider ambition to 2030;
32. Decides to include in the United Nations calendar of conferen ces and
meetings for the years 2023 and 2024 the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to
the Convention and its subsidiary bodies envisaged for the years 2023 and 2024;
33. Invites the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change to report, through the Secretary -General, to the General Assembly at
its seventy-eighth session, on the work of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention, and decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy -eighth
session, under the item entitled “Sustainable development”, the sub -item entitled
“Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind”.
53rd plenary meeting
14 December 2022
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35 See FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1 .
36 See FCCC/CP/2016/10/Add.1.
37 A/72/82.
PART V (A): General Assembly resolutions on Protection of global climate for present and future generations