Paris Agreement to be implemented regardless of US stance: UN official

Head of the UN Environmental Program (UNEP) Erik Solheim made the remarks in a press conference on Sunday.

US new government has not declared its stance toward Paris Agreement and other environmental issues yet, he said.

We are negotiating with US new administration and we are optimistic in this case, but if developments go wrong and the US cannot assume leadership in the climate issue, the United Nations will devise another plan, he said.

Indian officials have announced that not for US but for the sake of themselves, they are eager to implement the agreement, he added.

Walmart Company which is one of the biggest firms in the United States announced that no matter who is taking office in the White House, it will decrease emission of greenhouse gases. And the Google Company also expressed its readiness to support this plan, he said.

Solheim pointed to merits of investing in developing new energies such as solar and wind, saying that investment in these fields has grown compared with oil, gas and coal.

UN is ready to spare no efforts in supporting Iran and its environment, he said.

He referred to Iran’s key role in international communities, saying that Iran played crucial role in Marrakech Climate Change Conference - November 2016.

Despite the fact that dust source areas is beyond the borders of the country, Iran is trying hard within its borders, he added.

During his trip, Solheim also took a tour to Lake Orumiyeh to follow up the revival of the lake.

According to the UN Information Center in Tehran (UNIC), Solheim who arrived in
Tehran on Feb 24 is expected to meet senior officials in Tehran and focus on expanding regional cooperation on environmental issues.

The Paris Agreement (Accord de Paris) is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.

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