(VOVworld) – 30 more countries formally joined the Paris Agreement on climate change on Wednesday at the annual session of the UN General Assembly, greatly improving the pact’s chances becoming reality. The 30 states included Latin American heavyweights like Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Other countries include Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

La Angostura lake in central Bolivia runs out of water due to severe drought. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

French Environment Minister Segolene Royal said that she hoped the accord would take effect before the next UN-led climate conference due on November 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The Paris Agreement on climate change was signed in December, 2015, in Paris. Helping it come into force requires the ratification of 55 counties, who emit 55% of the whole world gas emissions. The deal aims to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.