United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a powerful plea for global unity and accelerated climate action, urging world leaders to move “full-speed ahead” in addressing the climate crisis. Speaking in New York following a high-level climate meeting, Guterres emphasized that the time for hesitation is over.
“We don’t have a moment to lose,” Guterres said, addressing leaders from 17 nations, including major emitters like China and members of the European Union, as well as vulnerable regions represented by blocs such as the African Union, ASEAN, and the Alliance of Small Island States.
Calling the session “among the most diverse meetings of heads of state focused exclusively on climate in some time,” Guterres underscored the need for both urgency and solidarity amid ongoing global conflicts and economic instability.
“We cannot allow climate commitments to be blown off course,” he warned. “The world is moving forward. Full-speed ahead.”
Highlighting the potential of renewable energy, Guterres described the transition as “the economic opportunity of the century,” noting its role in job creation, reducing energy costs, and boosting global competitiveness. “The pathway out of climate hell is paved by renewables,” he asserted.
The Secretary-General issued two critical calls to action ahead of the COP30 summit set for Brazil. First, he urged all countries to submit their most ambitious national climate action plans by September. These strategies must be aligned with the 1.5°C global warming limit, span all sectors and greenhouse gases, and clearly outline emissions reductions.
Second, Guterres called for increased financial support to developing nations, which he noted suffer disproportionately despite contributing the least to climate change. He highlighted Africa’s underutilized solar potential as a key example of global imbalance.
To bridge this gap, Guterres called for a plan to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for developing countries and pushed developed nations to deliver on their promise of $40 billion a year in adaptation finance. He also stressed the importance of fully funding the Loss and Damage Fund.
“As today’s meeting made clear,” Guterres concluded, “we cannot, must not, and will not let up on climate action.”
