The European Parliament voted 610 in favor, 38 against, and 31 abstentions in a vote that backed the ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The vote, attended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, now means that national ministers can ratify the agreement on behalf of the European Union later this week.

“With the action taken by the EU parliament, I am confident that we will be able to cross the 55% threshold very soon, in just a matter of a few days,” the Secretary-General said. “I am extremely honored to be able to witness this historic moment.”