The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shares the international community’s challenges of climate change and its effects, and advocates for mutually beneficial resolutions to the issue. It is our sincere hope that the Conference of Parties, at its 22nd session (COP22), will sustain the momentum of last year’s COP 21 in Paris, where significant progress resulted in the first balanced universal climate agreement.

The COP 22 conference will focus on action items to achieve the balanced priorities of the Paris Agreement, especially in relation to adaptation, transparency, technology transfer, mitigation, capacity building, and loss and damages. We view the Paris Agreement as balanced and fair, and this will pave way to effective implementation in addressing our climate goals and sustainable development goals holistically.

It is encouraging to note that the Paris Agreement has achieved the threshold for entry into force, and Saudi Arabia is determined to see it implemented. In fact, we have managed to complete our ratification process of the Agreement before COP 22 in Marrakech and we are updating our environmental plan to ensure timely implementation.

Saudi Arabia hopes that as the “COP of Action,” COP 22 will produce an equitable outcome enabling sustainable economic and social development. Ever since the issue of climate change was brought to the world’s attention, the Kingdom has maintained a consistent view, calling for meaningful options that encompasses the concerns of developing nations under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

We continue to work towards our contributions as stipulated in our Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submitted prior to COP 21 last year.

Our INDC commits us to actions and plans for economic diversification that have co-benefits in the form of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission avoidances and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

Saudi Arabia is instrumental in delivering the vital energy that enables global economic growth and prosperity, and we have a track-record of doing so in the most reliable and sustainable way, in part through technology-enabled solutions. We are dedicated to smarter solutions and better systems, dedicated to sustainable development and progress.

Last year, the global community agreed that climate change and sustainable development goals need to be mutually supportive and reinforcing for both sets of objectives to succeed. Therefore, we must chart a collective path of utilizing all energy sources to a sustainable energy landscape that includes energy efficiency, renewables and other complementary energy technologies.

 Saudi Arabia believes that the international response to climate change must fully respect the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC, particularly the principle of ”common but differentiated responsibility” which must be the cornerstone of progress. It enables all countries—especially developing nations—to proactively contribute workable plans and solutions for climate action that take account of national priorities, capacities and circumstances, in keeping with the different stages of economic development.

Saudi Arabia is confident that through dialogue and collaboration, the international community can achieve an effective, pragmatic and meaningful approach to tackle this global challenge. I have no doubt that our discussions in Marrakech will produce a positive outcome for all.

His Excellency Khalid Al-Falih

Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia