At Wednesday’s press conference, Mr Guterres promised to tackle the many challenging issues facing the planet, in his speech next week to the General Assembly, which will also include specific recommendations and an appeal call to action.
The UN chief began by recalling the devastation he witnessed on a recent trip to flood-hit Pakistan, which he described as a gateway to a “future of chaos”. permanent and widespread climate disturbances on an unimaginable scale”.
Mr. Guterres, from Portugal, noted that the flood was three times the size of his hometown.
In signature uncompromising language, he argues that the global response to the climate crisis has been inadequate, unfair and, in essence, treacherous. “Whether it is Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, the small islands or the least developed countries, the most vulnerable countries in the world who did nothing to cause this crisis — are all paying a terrible price for decades of being unmoved by major emitters.”
G20 must lead the way
Targeting the leaders of the world’s wealthiest nations, the head of the United Nations reminds them that they are responsible for the majority of climate-related emissions and that although they are also Hard hit by record droughts, fires and floods, but climate actions to respond, have appeared to be life-supporting.
He wondered if the reaction would be different if a third of the G20 countries, not Pakistan, were now underwater.
Mr. Guterres told reporters in New York, all countries need to cut their emissions each year – with the G20, as top emitters, leading the way, until temperatures rise. global is capped at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
Returning to the example of Pakistan, Mr. Guterres emphasized that the country, and other climate hotspots, need flood-resistant infrastructure now, arguing that at least half of climate finance must be for climate adaptation and resilience.
That funding must come from leading economies, he said.
“Lower the temperature – now,” he said. “Do not flood the world today; don’t drown it tomorrow”.
UN photo / Mark Garten
In Istanbul, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres inspects the WFP SSI Invincible 2, which is heading to Ukraine for the largest grain load yet to be exported under the Black Sea Grains Initiative.
The real danger of many famines
The UN has praised the success of Black Sea Grains InitiativeThis has allowed the last supplies of food and fertilizer to leave the ports of war-torn Ukraine, and played a role in the drop in global food prices, as they reached record highs after the war. Russian invasion.
However, there is still a real risk of more famine this year, Guterres warned.
Global hunger has increased before COVID-19 pandemic and never recovered, he said. Many countries are dealing with a cost of living crisis, which is hitting the poorest people and communities hardest, and the rights of women and girls around the world are being overturned. .
The Secretary-General pointed out that, at a time of high geopolitical tensions, the lack of action to avert the climate crisis would have dramatic effects, such as mass migration and increased instability. .
Mr. Guterres criticized the actions of populist politicians, who, he said, were showing “an incredible disregard for the poorest and most vulnerable people in our worlddivides people against each other, uses discrimination, disinformation, and hate speech.
“This year’s general debate must give hope,” Mr. Guterres concluded. “That hope that can only come through dialogue and debate is the beating heart of the United Nations“.
UN photo / Ekinder Debebe
UN Secretary-General press briefing (file)
