U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday called the Paris climate agreement a “monumental triumph” for the earth that will set the stage for achieving an end to poverty and development for all.

“In the face of an unprecedented challenge, you have demonstrated unprecedented leadership,” he said of the deal involving 195 nations.

China termed the pact as “a new beginning in international cooperation.” The pact was fair in splitting responsibility between developed and developing countries, Foreign Ministry spokes-person Hong Lei said.

China’s Special Representative on Climate Change Xie Zhenhua said: “The Paris Climate Conference is a crucial point in the global climate governance process. The outcome has a bearing with the undertaking of climate change of the human being and our future of sustainable development.”

According to the Russian envoy at the climate talks, the accord marked a signi-ficant progress in tackling climate issues but the deal required a serious work on its implementation. “I want to confirm Russia’s determination to continue strengthening our actions to reduce the anthropogenic pressure on the environment in accordance with the agreement,” Alexander Bedritsky said.

The World Bank welcomed the “historic” accord, saying it reflected aspiration and seriousness to preserve the planet for future generations.