Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), on Monday expressed his strong concern over the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that the move will cost the country significant benefits from global climate action.
U.S. President Donald Trump, on his first day back in the White House in January 2025, signed an executive order to withdraw his country from the Paris climate accord for the second time.
The United Nations confirmed on Jan. 28, 2025 that it had received the official notification from Washington of its withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement.
The withdrawal took effect on Tuesday.
In an interview with the China Media Group in the southwestern German city of Bonn where UNFCCC is headquartered, Stiell said that despite the U.S. withdrawal, 194 of the 195 signatory countries remain committed to tackling climate change and its adverse effects.
"First thing, one from 195 still leaves 194. And we're seeing what global cooperation toward climate action means with those that are still in. The U.S. withdrawal will only hurt themselves. It will cause harm in terms of the climate impacts that they are experiencing domestically. What we're seeing in terms of wildfires, floods, mega storms, extreme heat, that is impacting not just the world but the United States themselves. They are not immune from that," he said.
"But when we also look at the benefits of strong climate action, what that means in terms of economic growth, jobs, better health, and improved living standards, the U.S. withdrawal is simply an opportunity lost on their side. And what is absolutely clear: when one country steps back, it simply provides opportunities for others to step forward. And we're already seeing the strong leadership within China in terms of what positive, forward-thinking actions, how they equate to economic growth, jobs, better health, etc.," said Stiell.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 195 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on Dec. 12, 2015. It entered into force on Nov. 4, 2016.
US withdrawal from Paris Agreement to miss climate action benefits: UN senior official
The Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum in south China's Guangdong Province has received over four million visitors since opening on May 1 last year.
In addition to gaining astounding popularity, the museum has been selected as one of the "World's Most Beautiful Museums" by UNESCO.
One morning during the first anniversary period of its opening, the museum was already packed with student groups and family visitors as early as 10:00.
To the delight of the hundreds of children attending on that day, the museum is filled with highly interactive exhibits that are as fun as they are educational. In the AI ping-pong robot zone, visitors play matches against a robot, which adjusts its difficulty level in real time according to human opponent's skill, precisely matching ball speed and strength.
"I tried seven or eight exhibits. My favorite is the ping-pong. The experience showed me how powerful science can be, and the ping-pong robot made me realize that machines can be so amazing," said Mo Jiquan, a young student from Guangdong's Zhongshan City.
In the "Smart Industry" hall, a group of students from Singapore learned to race model cars controlled by brainwaves.
By pressing foreheads against an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal collection device and concentrating, the students used the power of their minds to propel the cars forward.
"Science fiction has become reality. These things are different from what we learn at school. For example, these brainwave-control devices, we have never seen anything like them. So I think it's a new and very meaningful experience," said Chen Mengfanglin, a student from Singapore.
Among the museum's 950 innovative exhibits, such as brain-computer interfaces, simulated space capsules, dexterous hands, 80 percent offer deep interactive experiences.
More importantly, these exhibits are dynamically updated as industrial technologies evolve.
"I think this place is very futuristic and fun. This is my second time here. I feel that there are more exhibits, and the technology has advanced," said Wu Zining, a Shenzhen student.
According to the museum, visitor numbers remain steady on weekdays, surge significantly during holidays, and overseas visitors have seen a notable increase since the beginning of this year.
"Our museum receives between 2,000 and 5,000 visitors on weekdays. On holidays, we get around 30,000 visitors per day. Since the beginning of this year, the number of overseas visitors has also risen significantly," Zhang Haitian, director of the Exchange and Cooperation Center of the museum.
Unlike traditional science museums that simply display items alongside written explanations, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum has pioneered an approach that combines innovation, public outreach, and education into one seamless experience.
Over the past year, it has collected 39 technology transfer projects, held 10 "deep science and technology" project matchmaking events, and brought research institutes, leading enterprises, investors, and the public together, creating a new ecosystem linking government, enterprises, research institutes, and the museum.
"On the basis of the original basic functions of a science and technology museum, we have taken a bolder step forward. We have extensive links with sci-tech innovation companies, so a steady stream of new technologies, achievements, products and ideas flow into the museum. We also have close interactions with science fiction and cultural heritage sectors, integrating science and technology with culture and art. Through flexible cooperation with various industries, this approach has opened up unlimited possibilities for the entire science and technology museum," said Zheng Yongchun, head of the museum.
Interactive sci-tech museum in south China hosts 4 million visitors in first year
