Remarks with French Minister Segolene Royal International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Event

  • Transcript, E&OE

JULIE BISHOP: We just had a discussion about how well Australia and France are workingtogether on the impact of climate change, and plans to a low emissions future.First, I want to pay tribute to Minister Royal and indeed to the French fortheir superb diplomacy during COP21 which led to this historic Paris Agreement.And, Segolene, I pay tribute to you in particular for the work that you did toensure that the Paris Agreement came into being and indeed, it's been such asuccess.

Australia ratified the agreement last week, and wejoined 108 other countries I believe on last count, to ratify the agreement.Our focus today has been particularly on the issue of our oceans and coralreefs, and last evening I was delighted to be here to speak at the "Because theOcean" event. I spoke about our commitment to maintaining, preserving,conserving coral reefs around the world, and in the case of Australia, theGreat Barrier Reef, which is the size of Germany or Italy, off our east coast. Australiahas committed to the long term preservation and conservation of the GreatBarrier Reef through a plan, a 35 year plan up to 2050, with a $2 billioncommitment to ensuring that our reef is sustainable.

I also am delighted that 20 years on from Australiaand France, and six other countries, developing the International Coral ReefInitiative, we now have a plan of action that deals with the impact of climatechange. ICRI, as it's known, has been doing great work for 20 years, now wehave a plan of action that heightens our awareness and understanding of theimpact of climate change on coral reefs.

So Australia and France,partners in so many areas, and now working very closely together on climatechange, the impact of climate change, and we have a very similar view on how wecan implement the Paris Agreement and what we need to do here at COP22. SoMinister Royal, thank you very much for taking the time to discuss coral reefsand Australia and France working together in this important area. Thank you.

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