21 September 2014: An Informal Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change, focusing on progress on the UN climate change negotiations, was hosted by EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard. The roundtable was held in the lead-up to other major climate events held in New York, including the 20th meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) and the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit.

The purpose of the roundtable, which took place on 20 September 2014, in New York, US, was to discuss how “progressive countries” can work together for an ambitious agreement in Paris in 2015. The event attracted the participation of approximately 40 developed and developing countries, including least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS).

Describing the event as “tremendously rewarding,” Commissioner Hedegaard said the high ministerial attendance was a good indication of interest to keep up ambition for the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, France, and work together to ensure the best possible outcome.

She also commended UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for convening the Climate Summit, which would constitute “the biggest turnout of Heads of States discussing climate at the top level” in the history of the UN and which, together with investors and business communities, would send a “very strong message to the world that the political will is there, that the solutions are there” for Lima and Paris.

According to Hedegaard, the following week in New York would also demonstrate that it is possible to unite growth and climate change, and create “a more intelligent kind of growth” that “also takes care of the climate change challenges.” [European Commission Press Release] [European Commission Video Remarks by Hedegaard] [IISD RS Coverage of the UN Climate Summit] [IISD RS Story on the MEF]