Government | Saturday 5 November, 2016 5:36 am |

Saudi Arabia has signed on Thursday the Paris Agreement to combat climate change, which became an international law on Friday. On behalf of the government of the Kingdom, the Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Abdullah Al-Mualami inked the agreement, in the presence of the UN Secretary General Ban-Ki moon.

In a press statement, Al-Mualami underscored the significance of the great attention being given by the Saudi government to combat the climate change and its causes, as well as to reduce heat emissions that inflict massive damages on the Earth.

He also emphasized on the need to ensure effective measures for provision of safe and clean energy sources, as well as to reduce global warming.

So far, 96 countries, accounting for just over two-thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, have formally joined the landmark deal to tackle global warming amid growing fears that the world is becoming hotter even faster than scientists expected.

More countries are expected to come aboard soon in inking the accord, which seeks to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Secretary General Ban-Ki moon commemorated the event, talking with civil society groups at UN headquarters here to hear their concerns and visions for the future.

“Today we make history in humankind’s efforts to combat climate change,” Ban said before opening the meeting. He praised the civil groups for mobilizing hundreds of millions of people to back fighting climate change, but warned the outcome remained uncertain.