Ladies and gentlemen, good to see you again.
Im very happy to be here once again with Lidia Pereira, who is, together with the other Members of the European Parliament who are present here, doing an absolutely amazing job, here at the COP but also at home in fostering ambition, making sure we continue with this transition and that is something I truly deeply commend.
We are mid-week or almost mid-week; the pace is intense. I very much welcome the sense of urgency the Brazilian presidency is giving to the whole endeavor, because indeed, there is no time to waste.
As a negotiator you might think that its comfortable that theres half a week left, but we always know that speed is of the essence if you want to deliver on time.
So, where are we? Where do we stand?
One thing is crystal clear, and I keep on repeating that: for the European Union: success here is about ambition and in particular about addressing the implementation and the ambition gap. That has to be our starting point.
Because we are coming – and all the scientists in this room are telling it to us – we are coming dangerously close to truly destructive tipping points.
So let me state clearly once more: we are standing by our commitments. We will fully deliver on each and every element of the NCQG. Also on adaptation, that will be part of it, and we know how important that is, especially for the most vulnerable.
For the EU, the only way we can call this COP a success therefore is by putting words on all these things into action.
A few things on process: we have of course, as we always do, reached out extensively, consulting with friends and partners all over the globe: from Palau to China, from South Korea to Colombia. With very much likeminded countries and with those with whom we feel there is room to discuss, and in general, our read is that many parties here do want to make sure that this COP30 is a success.
Because what were facing here is larger than just us. This has huge ramifications for everyone inhabiting the planet but clearly also for those coming afterwards.
So ladies and gentlemen many more things to say, but let me pause here and thank you very much once again for your attention and dear Lidia as always, fantastic to have you here by my side.
