 On 1 April 2016, the United States and China, which together represent almost 40% of global emissions, issued a joint statement confirming that both countries would sign the Paris Climate Agreement.175 Parties (174 states and the European Union) signed the agreement on the first date it was open for signature.On the same day, more than 20 countries issued a statement of their intent to join as soon as possible with a view to joining in 2016.