King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain have played hosts to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP25) in Madrid where Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Prince Albert of Monaco and other foreign dignitaries were in attendance. The theme of the conference is to reduce CO2 emissions, global trade in emission rights, and other issues surrounding the goals set at the 2015 Paris climate change conference.
His Majesty gave remarks during the opening day of the conference, beginning in Spanish, before continuing in English for those in the audience who did not speak the language.
The King stressed that the world must act now on climate change, “No border can protect us from the effects of climate change must act with leadership and determination…We must act with leadership, and we must act with resolve.”
“Yes, there is hope, but also a lot of work to be done and is likely to be they need several generations to achieve it,” he added.
King Felipe also shared his belief that the Paris Climate Agreement should be a guiding force in the efforts against climate change.
Round table discussions were also held in which Grand Duke Henri spoke to other heads of state and dignitaries including Luxembourg’s Carole Dieschbourg, Minister of the Environment and Spain’s President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.
Remarks from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres concluded the conference for the day.
After the conference, the King and Queen held a reception at the Royal Palace of Madrid for those in attendance at the UN conference being held at IFEMA – Feria de Madrid from 2 to 13 December.
