COPENHAGEN, 28 February 2025 – As the world faces escalating climate crises after another year of record-high global heat and extreme weather events, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Climate Change and Vice-President Pere Joan Pons (Spain) recalled that global co-operation remains the cornerstone of effective climate action.

Noting with regret the United States’ recent withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, Special Representative Pons emphasized that now is the time for nations to step up their efforts rather than retreat from their commitments, in order to ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

“The fight against climate change cannot afford setbacks,” said Pons. “Now, more than ever, we need strong political will at every level – international, national, and local. Parliaments and governments must exercise rigorous oversight to ensure the 2015 Paris Agreement is fully implemented.”

In this regard, Special Representative Pons welcomed the recent announcement by the U.S. Climate Alliance – a national coalition of governors representing approximately 55 per cent of the U.S. population and 60 per cent of the U.S. economy – recommitting to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement by significantly curbing climate pollution.

Pons also praised the hard-won progress achieved at the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, where world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and took decisive action to accelerate climate solutions, urging for continued co-operation and sustained climate ambition.

“As we look ahead to major upcoming environmental conferences, including the World Sustainable Development Summit on 5-7 March and the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health on 25-27 March,” Pons said, “I urge my colleagues to maintain a high level of urgency as we work together in developing innovative strategies for mitigation and adaptation.”

For more on the work of the Special Representative on Climate Change, please click here.