On my train ride this morning, I never imagined I would have the chance to hear from German Chancellor Angela Merkel or French President Emmanuel Macron. As a friend and I discussed our plans for the day, we agreed to begin at the Researchers and Independent Non-Governmental Research Organization (RINGO) meeting. The meeting itself was informative, but at its conclusion, a lottery was held for tickets to that afternoon’s official High-Level Segment, featuring remarks from heads of state. To my surprise, a couple of friends won—unfortunately, I was not so lucky.

 

That said, I didn’t let my misfortune prevent me from enjoying the US Business Showcase at the US Climate Action Center. I spent the morning learning about science-based emissions reductions commitments from businesses, how to finance a low carbon future, and how the private sector can push for policy changes that lead to emissions reductions. During a break for lunch, I stopped at the Bula Zone and found myself eating at a table with a lone gentleman. After finishing my meal, I started up a conversation with him, mostly out of curiosity of what he was working on. To my surprise, the gentleman introduced himself as Battio Bassiere, Minister of the Environment in Burkina Faso, a small nation in west Africa. This chance encounter further underscored to me the fantastic opportunity we have in attending COP23—most everyone in attendance is a high-level official in their home country (aside from me, of course).  Little did I know, the afternoon held even more chance encounters.

 

“Do you want to come to the high level session?”, read a text on my phone. Luckily for me, a friend who had won tickets that morning had to depart the session early. I immediately raced over to the Bonn Global Conference Center. As I arrived, I saw several hundred people waiting outside the main hall with their phones in hand, all pointed at the doors next to where I entered. I ran upstairs to find my friends, who let me know that Chancellor Merkel was about to arrive. A minute later, she walked through the door, met with applause and fanfare from the crowd. We snapped a few pictures before racing into the hall to hear her remarks.

Chancellor Merkel entering the Bonn World Conference Center

 

Chancellor Merkel’s remarks were generally positive, highlighting the need to move forward on negotiations regardless of the US’s intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. She also reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting developing countries’ capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change through finance mechanisms, and doubling public financing for clean energy research and development, as outlined in Mission Innovation.

 

Chancellor Merkel delivering her remarks at the High-Level Segment

Next at the lectern was President Macron. The initial tone of his remarks was different, more defiant than those of Chancellor Merkel’s. Macron began by stating that the scientific community has sent warning signals, and the point of no return has been crossed. Regardless of efforts in recent years, we are going to lose island nations, including many that were represented in the room. He then pivoted, “We are not ready to see that, so we must take aggressive action.” Macron went on to discuss the importance of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which he called essential to supporting the UN’s decision making process. He called for France to make up the funding gap the IPCC is experiencing, due to the Trump Administration pulling American funding. Macron also discussed an upcoming conference that will be held in France this December, on the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement. The conference will focus on climate finance, especially the ability of American states, cities, and business leaders to meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement, despite the Trump Administration’s intent to withdraw.

President Macron delivers remarks at COP23

After hearing business leaders discuss the same topic this morning, it felt like the day had truly come full circle. Many in the US were worried that the Trump Administration’s actions would poison the well at COP23. Chancellor Merkel’s and President Macron’s remarks showed me that couldn’t be further from the truth. The world was united toward a common goal—with or without the Trump Administration.