This year’s Earth Day is an important year for the global community as more than 170 countries are scheduled to gather at the United Nations Headquarters today in New York to sign the Paris Agreement. This agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015 by all 196 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The objective of the Paris Agreement is to mobilize the global community to prevent climate change and its devastating impacts.
“On this day, representatives of more than 170 countries are gathering at UN Headquarters in New York to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This landmark pact, in conjunction with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, holds the power to transform our world,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
“As we move forward in our work of advancing and promoting human rights, we must always remember that the very survival of the human race is connected to the future of the small planet called Earth,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “An astronaut looking from space once noted that from space, Earth looks beautiful yet, small and vulnerable. One of the challenges facing humanity is global warming,” said Hamad. “On this day, we recognize the challenges Earth faces and we invite everyone to be part of the solution,” added Mr. Hamad.
For more information about Earth Day 2016 please visit the Earth Day Network at www.earthday.org and the United Nations International Mother Earth Day www.un.org/en/events/