September 22, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Sri Lanka hands over instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement at the UN General Assembly. Image Credit -The President’s Office
Reading Time: 2 min read
Sri Lanka hands over instrument of ratification Paris Agreement
President Sirisena has handed over the instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at the United Nations General Assembly. Parliament unanimously approved ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change on 9 September.
The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015, will enter into force if at least 55 countries accounting for 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified the agreement.
Colombo International Maritime Conference commences
The Colombo International Maritime Conference (CIMC) is being held from 21-23 September, with the participation of 60 foreign speakers. The conference will explore options to attract higher investment into maritime industries, and develop Sri Lanka’s shipping industry beyond transshipment activities.
The Chairman of the CIMC Organising Committee, Rohan Masakorala, stated that higher investment in Sri Lanka’s maritime industries is expected to increase the industry’s contribution to GDP to 6% by 2030.
US praises Sri Lanka’s economic reform and reconciliation efforts
The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and President Sirisena have met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Secretary Kerry commended the policy directions of the Sri Lankan government, and pledged continous support for Sri Lanka.
Secretary Kerry stated, ‘we’re very encouraged by the steps that the President is taking and Sri Lanka is taking with respect to reconciliation, and they’re also making important economic reforms’.
US approves delivery of aircraft to Iran
The US Treasury Department has approved delivery of over 100 Boeing and 17 Airbus aircraft to Iran. Approval was granted following the lifting of sanctions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The Treasury Department stated that the aircraft sold to Iran could only be used for commercial passenger use, and could not be resold or transferred.
Ban Ki-moon announces progress on Paris Agreement
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has announced that 55 countries have formally joined the Paris Agreement on climate change. The landmark agreement has now crossed one of two thresholds required to bring it into force.
The legally binding portion of the agreement requires governments to make public pledges to tackle global warming within their respective countries, and publish those plans on the United Nations website.
UN member states agree to fight antimicrobial resistance
The UN General Assembly has held its first meeting on drug-resistant bacteria. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that antimicrobial resistance is a fundamental threat to human health, sustainable food production, and development.
All 193 UN member states signed a declaration agreeing to combat the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance. The declaration was signed on 21 September, before the General Assembly convened.
Tags: Sri Lanka, UN, US, UN Secretary- General, President Sirisena
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