The Climate Convention Secretariat today presented its Synthesis Report on the effect of the national contributions submitted before October 1 by 146 states, in advance of the Paris Conference. I urge all countries to submit their contributions before the beginning of the conference.

The report shows that the national contributions can make a difference and help us avoid the worst-case scenario, i.e. global warming of 4°C-5°C or more. It confirms that it is possible to achieve a trajectory where warming is kept below 1.5 to 2°C by the end of the century, but this will require additional efforts over time.

Some estimates put us on a trajectory of a 2.7°C to 3° C increase by the end of the century. This confirms the importance of reaching an agreement at COP21 in Paris that will lay down the rules for periodically revising the national contributions upwards.

Beyond the targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the contributions include elements relating to ambitious sector-specific policies (development of renewable energies, energy efficiency, etc.). This process has made it possible to truly decompartmentalize the issue of climate change in many countries, notably by involving civil society in the preparatory discussions.

The pre-COP meeting, which I will host from November 8 to 10 in Paris, and which will bring together nearly 80 ministers to discuss all of the main elements of the agreement, should allow us to make progress on these issues that are central to our ambitions and long-term goals.

The national contributions process is a first in the history of climate negotiations. It provides a solid basis for the success essential in Paris.

Ebola – International conference on lessons learned from the management of the crisis (Paris - October 29, 2015)

Yesterday, minister of State for development and Francophonie Annick Girardin chaired an international conference on lessons learned from the management of the Ebola crisis, alongside Thierry Mandon, minister of State for research, and European commissioner and Ebola coordinator Chrystos Stylianides. Also in attendance was David Nabarro, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy.

At this conference, all actors had the opportunity to offer suggestions for improving the management of health crises. Such crises must be anticipated and planned, and managed by a leader with an international mandate, in order to establish a comprehensive strategy from the outset, and to offer funding and human resources for the affected countries and nongovernmental organizations. The importance of considering ahead of time how patients will be cared for in hospitals or non-hospital settings was discussed, as was the importance of training caregivers, with a strengthened European vision. Along with providing support for healthcare systems, operational research is also crucial for conducting rapid diagnostic tests and providing treatments and vaccines. In this context, international health regulations are a crucial challenge on which France and the WHO will host an international conference in Lyon next March. Finally, it is essential to maintain economic activities, whatever the cost, to help the country emerge from the crisis as swiftly as possible.

France is mobilizing its efforts on all these subjects. We supported the adoption of the sustainable development goal for health; for the first time, this goal is universal. An early partner in the emergency phase, we disbursed more than 160 million euros on the ground. We will continue to support our African, and especially Guinean, partners with an aid package of some 174 million euros.

Central African Republic / Cameroon – Visit by Annick Girardin (October 30 to November 3, 2015)

Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophonie, is visiting the Central African Republic and Cameroon.

In Bangui, Annick Girardin will reaffirm France’s solidarity and our support for the transition, which should notably lead to a constitutional referendum and presidential and parliamentary elections by the end of the year. She will be received by Catherine Samba Panza, Transitional President, Mahamat Kamoun, Prime Minister, and Florence Limbio, Minister of Economy, and will take stock of the situation with representatives of the international community who are lending their support to the transition process.

The fight against climate disruption will be a key focus of the visit to Cameroon. Annick Girardin will be received by President Paul Biya and will visit several forest conservation and water management projects. She will discuss the issues at stake at the Paris Climate Conference with Cameroonian students. Lastly, she will meet with NGOs in order to take stock of assistance being provided to the victims of Boko Haram.