PM Hailemariam arrives in New York

Addis Ababa, April 21, 2016 (FBC) – Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn has arrived in New York yesterday to attend the high level thematic debate on achieving SDGs and the ‪‎Paris Climate Agreement signing ceremony due to take place today and tomorrow, respectively.
His arrival is a demonstration of ‪Ethiopia’s strong commitment to the implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to speak at both high level events.

About 160 countries are expected to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change Friday in a symbolic triumph for a landmark deal that once seemed unlikely but now appears on track to enter into force years ahead of schedule.

U.N. officials say the signing ceremony Friday will set a record for international diplomacy: Never before have so many countries inked an agreement on the first day of the signing period.

That could help pave the way for the pact to become effective long before the original 2020 deadline — possibly this year— though countries must first formally approve it through their domestic procedures.