The “Marrakech Action Proclamation for Our Climate and Sustainable Development” is a political declaration that “flows from the high level segment”.

The proclamation, “supported by all the parties” welcomes the rapid entry into force of the Paris Agreement adopted under the Convention. The reference to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was a key demand of developing countries. It stresses on the urgency to act to counter climate change. “Our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented and rate and we have an urgent duty to respond,” it states.

In the aftermath of the US elections, countries felt the need for political declaration reiterating the commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement, which provided the framework to address climate change and restrict global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius.

As candidate, Donald Trump had pledged to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the political declaration was designed to be a strong signal that world was firm on moving ahead with actions that would help transition to a low carbon and climate resilient pathway.

The message clear that it would not be a repeat of the 2001 Marrakech talks when the US withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol. This time round the world would move forward.

“The Marrakech Conference marks an important inflection point in our commitment to bring together the whole international community to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our times,” the proclamation states.

Given the context, the proclamation encapsulates the efforts that are already underway. “Indeed, this year we have seen extraordinary momentum on climate change worldwide, and in many multilateral.

This momentum is irreversible—it is being driven not only governments, but by science, business, and global action of all types at all levels.”

It goes on to say that moving forward, the task is to “rapidly build on that momentum, together”. In keeping with the demand particularly from developing countries, reiterate that efforts would focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and efforts to adapt to climate change.

Underscoring the nature of this proclamation, it makes clear that this collective effort has the backing of the political leadership. “We call for the highest political commitment to combat climate change , as a matter of urgent priority.” It makes a special mention of countries most vulnerable to climate change and the need to “support effortsaimed to enhance their adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability.”

Hosts Morocco drafted an initial four page declaration, which they shared with the various regional groups and major countries for comments on Friday.

Developing countries were unhappy with the initial draft since it text seemed to go beyond the consensus evolved in Paris, and did not include references to the United Nations climate convention and its principles particularly that of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities”.

Over the weekend, Morocco, which is chairing the current round of talks, held meetings to craft a declaration acceptable to all. Differences persisted over the language and level of detail in the declaration.

“A political statement needs to be lean and convey intent. The moment details are put in, there is a tussle over what to include and exclude, and it becomes a negotiated text. The declaration cannot be a negotiated document,” said a senior negotiator.

Through discussions on Monday, the initial four-page declaration was whittled down to a single page acceptable to all. The statement reflects an effort to balance the concerns of developed and developing countries.

It mentions the urgent need for “raising ambition” and the need to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced in order to close the “gap between current emissions trajectories and the pathway needed to meet the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement,” in a reference to both the 2 degrees Celsius and 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature goals.

Simultaneously it calls for an increase in “volume, flow, and access” to climate finance, technology and capacity building. It moves away from the traditional reference that such lows must be from industrialised to developing countries.

Instead opting for “including from developed to developing countries”, an option that implies south-south co-operation as well. The broadening of the donor base to include developing countries particularly the advanced developing countries has been a demand of the industrialised countries.

The focus by developing countries on the pre-2020 commitments, particularly by rich industrialised countries also finds mention. The Copenhagen-Cancun commitment by industrialised countries to provide $100 billion a year as climate funding to developing countries also finds mention.

“We the developed country parties reaffirm our $100 billion mobilization goal”. Referring to the demand that more needs to be done in the pre-2020 period, the declaration calls doe “further climate action and support, well in advance of 2020” and makes a mention of the specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries.

The statement calls on“non-state actors” to join “for immediate and ambitious action and mobilization”, while taking note of the initiatives such as the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action.

Not all suggestions from countries found reflection in the statement. Industrialised countries wanted the mention of the “Roadmap for the $100 billlion” prepared the United Kingdom and Australia included, while India had suggested that “sustainable lifestyle” be mentioned. Neither are mentioned in the final document.

The plan was for the political declaration to be made at Tuesday’s high-level segment when heads of state and government and ministers would speak. Sources indicated that the plan was dropped over inability to work out protocol issues.

The Marrakech talks was attended by 70 heads of state and government, ministers, and other dignitaries. The session was attended by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, French President Francois Hollande.