“We owe it to people to find solutions, fight back and act,” he said. Secretary General António Guterres. “Sometimes, discreetly but always firmly, we’ll hit back.”
Based on his joint call to action, Mr Guterres announced that he would convene the Climate Ambition Summit next September and called on every leader to “step up – from government, business, industry, cities and regions, civil society and finance.”
Time to ‘move the needle’
Nothing but tangible and credible climate action, but ignoring the diplomatic good, he made clear that the price of accession for every country is “credible, serious and not negotiable”. New Climate action and nature-based solutions will drive the compass forward and respond to the urgency of the climate crisis.”
It would be “a pointless summit,” he said. No exception. Not compromise. There will be no room for those who back down, who boycott, who blame or repackage the announcements of previous years.”
The UN chief said it would be convened alongside a summit in the opening week of the General Assembly already on the calendar, designed to accelerate action halfway towards the ambitious goal. hope. Sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Reason for hope
He began his year-end press conference at United Nations Headquarters by looking back to 2022, saying that although there could be “lots of reasons to despair”, amid the Ukraine war and the cost crisis. related subsistence causes the poorest countries to fall into a “debt row,” which is not an option.
“This is not a time to sit on the sidelines, this is a time for resolution, determination and – yes – even hope.
“Because despite our long-term limitations and disparities, we are working to push back against despair, combat disillusionment, and find real solutions. Not the perfect solution – not even always the beautiful solution – but practical solutions that are making a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
“Solutions must put us on the path to a better and more peaceful future.”
15th session or COP15 of the United Nations Convention on CBD Biodiversity, Montreal, Canada.
biodiversity agreement
He highlighted the agreement just hours earlier, to prevent the destruction of ecosystems around the world, at the United Nations. Biodiversity Conference, COP15.
“We are finally starting to form a peace treaty with nature,” he said, calling on all countries to fulfill their promises.
Progress has been made in ending conflicts in several war zones around the world, he said, citing the cessation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia as a “reason for hope”, a product by-product of the “rebirth of diplomacy”.
There is also progress in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where armed groups have stepped up their fight against government troops, engaging United Nations peacekeepers and “a ceasefire in the region.” Yemen has brought real benefits to its people.”
Secretary General António Guterres briefs journalists at his year-end press conference.
Even in the fierce battleground of Ukraine, “we have seen the power of resolute, discreet diplomacy to help people and tackle global food insecurity on an unprecedented scale.” ,” he said, citing his Black Sea Grain initiative to facilitate food and food exports. fertilizers from Ukraine and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Export of Food and Fertilizers from Russia are unhindered.
More than 14 million tons of grain and other foods have now been shipped from Black Sea ports, while Russia’s wheat exports have tripled under the Initiative.
“But there’s still work to be done,” he warned. “Food prices are still too high and access to fertilizers is still too limited.”
Global emissions gap widens
Despite the commitments made at COP27 in Egypt and the biodiversity agreement, it is clear that overall, the fight to limit emissions is only 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. , is still “going in the wrong direction”, with the global emissions gap widening.
“The 1.5 degree target is gasp. The National Climate Plan is falling badly. However, we are not retreating. We are fighting back,” he added.
He said the international community is currently “struggling to restore trust between the North and the South”, with an agreement on the Loss and Damage issue that has long stalled at COP27.
Children participate in Climate Change event.
Promoting the Climate Solidarity Pact
Another positive step has been taken in 2022 with the launch of an action plan to cover everyone in the world with early warning systems within the next five years.
“Going forward, I will continue to push for the Climate Solidarity Treaty, in which all major emitters make further efforts to reduce emissions this decade in line with the 1.5-degree target and Guaranteed support for those who need it.
Without it, he warned, “the 1.5-degree target will soon disappear. I have not stressed the imperative that we all face this existential threat. And I will not relent.”
