Ban welcomes new post-2020 climate targets submitted by China and Republic of Korea

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed today's formal submission of post-2020 climate change targets or Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) by both the China and the Republic of Korea.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York, Mr. Ban welcomed the countries' compliance, saying “both submissions represent an important contribution to building momentum and strengthening prospects for reaching a new and meaningful climate change agreement at COP-21 (the UN Climate Change Conference) in Paris at the end of the year.”

The statement noted, “The INDCs submitted today and since March offer a floor, and not a ceiling for ambition, and are critical for building momentum and trust on the road to COP-21 in Paris.”

The Secretary-General thanked the President of China, Xi Jinping, and the President of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, for their leadership and strong commitment in addressing climate change.

Mr. Ban also encouraged other countries to accelerate the preparation and submission of their INDCS.

“A key step to reaching a universal and meaningful climate agreement in Paris is the timely submission of INDCs by all countries well in advance of Paris,” the statement concluded.