Climate change will once again be the focus of global diplomacy as the 22nd Conference of the Parties, or COP22, begins in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday. The conference follows the breakthrough agreement in Paris last year that put in place an ambitious framework for dealing with the issue. But now comes the difficult task of implementing the agreement.

Final preparations at the COP22 conference site in Marrakesh, Morocco ahead of the arrival of some 22,000 participants from across the globe. Last year’s landmark Paris climate change agreement came into force last week. It calls for an unprecedented reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but the task ahead remains formidable.

"This is a moment of celebration but at the same time it is a moment of reflection on the task ahead. Work will continue in Marrakech to complete the details of a transparent global road book that will account for review and greater action by all sides," Patrica Espinosa, executive secretary of UN Framework Convention On Climate Change, said.

The U.S. presidential election casts a shadow over events here. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is a global warning skeptic and, if elected, has vowed to dismantle the agreement within his first 100 days in office.

"Of course, we will be ready and willing to work with the President that is elected in the U.S. We would hope that we could engage in a very constructive and positive relationship. It is one of our most important partners and its participation in this agreement is crucial," Espinosa said.

That aside, one of the key areas of discussion here will focus on how to support developing nations and help them build and utilize clean energy futures.

"I think the north countries have to do something with the cooperation with the southern countries to build those projects in a concrete way. And this is with a very close connection with the stability and security in the whole region of Africa," COP22  Commissioner Abdeladim Lhafi said.

COP22 is unlikely to have quite the fireworks of previous climate conferences but that does not make it any less crucial. Paris saw a global pledge to combat climate change. Now comes the difficult part in making that promise a reality.