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Iam sure we all agree that the international community made a historic decision when it adopted the Paris Agreement. We undertook to keep global warming under 2°C and to limit it to 1.5°C if possible. The latter goal, namely limiting global warming to 1.5°C, was of great importance to the island states. For every rise in temperature means a rise in sea levels. Today’s paradises are at risk of disappearing. It was, therefore, vitally important that the international climate agreement was adopted and could enter into force quickly. Of the 197 signatory states, 146 ratified the agreement by 18 May 2017. Decisions are right and important. However, now we have to rise to the challenge; now the right steps have to follow.The Conference of the Parties in Marrakech last year sent a clear message: we want to advance along the path we have embarked upon. Moreover, a schedule was adopted for making the decisions made in Paris more concrete and fostering initiatives. The key question remains as to how we can guarantee that all states make, and are indeed able to make, their national contributions towards reducing greenhouse gases.It is clear that industrialised nations and larger emerging economies have to lead the way. Developing countries must be given support – whether it be financial or technological assistance. That is why Germany joined forces with Morocco, the host country of the last UN Climate Conference, to establish the NDC Partnership. Just under 60 states have now joined.At the UN Conference in Bonn, the focus will be on drafting a detailed instrument on implementing the Paris Agreement. For example, we need uniform standards so that national reduction targets and reporting on them really are comparable; in my view, this is an extremely important issue. This will also engender transparency and a solid basis for ensuring that states trust each other and engage in genuine exchange. Our plan is to make enough progress in Bonn so that we can then make the necessary decisions at the UN Conference in Poland in 2018. Moreover, we want to prepare for the facilitative dialogue next year. It will help all states to review their targets. It is also a trial run for the global stocktake in 2023.Furthermore, the Presidency of the Republic of Fiji will draw attention to the states hit hardest by climate change. Given their situation, swift action is essential. This is not merely a case of time is money – this is truly a question of survival. We need to keep reminding ourselves of that.Half of Germany’s international climate-related funding is being channelled into adaptation to the climate change already taking place, with a view to supporting other countries. During our G7 Presidency two years ago, we launched an initiative to create insurance policies for developing countries hit especially hard by climate change. We would now like to expand this project into a global partnership during our G20 Presidency. Much would be achieved if the various governments were to all pull in the same direction. It goes without saying that we would be fighting a lost battle if we were to act alone. We always need many stakeholders on board. That is why local councils, NGOs and companies are invited to the Climate Conference in ANGELA MERKEL, CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANYSHAPING AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD“IT IS CLEAR THAT INDUSTRIALISED NATIONS AND LARGER EMERGING ECONOMIES HAVE TO LEAD THE WAY ”022 THE G20 MEMBER COUNTRIES