US President Donald Trump pauses as he announces his decision that the United States will withdraw from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, US, June 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the United States' decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change is "a major disappointment" for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security.

US President Donald Trump announced at the White House on Thursday that the US will withdraw from the landmark Paris pact, fulfilling a pledge he made during the presidential election campaign.

The Paris Agreement was adopted by almost all of the world's nations in 2015 "because they recognize the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents", said Guterres in a statement issued by his spokesman. "It offers a meaningful yet flexible framework for action by all countries," he said.

Trump, citing economic concerns, said the US would begin negotiations either to re-enter the Paris accord or to have a new agreement "on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers", Reuters reported.

Guterres believes that it is crucial that the US remains a leader on environmental issues, according to the statement.

He remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States — along with other countries — will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create good-quality jobs and markets for 21st century prosperity.

And he looks forward to engaging with the US government and all actors in the US and around the world to build a sustainable future.

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