In a powerful call to action, the United Nations Secretary-General has urged world leaders to accelerate efforts in the global fight against climate change, declaring that “we don’t have a moment to lose.” Speaking alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva following a high-level meeting on climate action, the UN chief emphasized the need for unity, ambition, and speed on the road to COP30 in Brazil.
The meeting brought together 17 heads of state and government, including representatives from some of the world’s largest economies such as China and the European Union, alongside leaders from the most climate-vulnerable nations. Also present were regional blocs like the African Union, ASEAN, CARICOM, and the Alliance of Small Island States, making it one of the most diverse gatherings of world leaders focused exclusively on climate in recent times.
Despite a world grappling with economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, a unifying message emerged from the discussions: the need to stay the course on climate commitments and intensify efforts. The Secretary-General made it clear that the global shift to clean energy is unstoppable. “Dissenters and fossil fuel interests may try to stand in the way,” he said, “but the world is moving forward — full-speed ahead. No group or government can stop the clean energy revolution.”
He highlighted that renewables are not just a moral imperative but an economic opportunity, noting that costs have plummeted, the sector is booming, and jobs are being created. The transition to renewables, he stressed, is the clearest path to energy sovereignty, security, and global economic growth.
However, the Secretary-General warned of the deepening consequences of climate change, which he said is displacing communities, increasing poverty, and fuelling instability worldwide. He drew attention to Africa and other developing regions that are disproportionately affected, despite having contributed the least to the crisis. For instance, Africa holds 60 percent of the world’s solar resources but accounts for only 1.5 percent of installed solar capacity and receives a mere 2 percent of global renewable energy investment.
He urged leaders to act on two critical fronts: first, by updating their national climate action plans — or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) — to include stronger emissions targets covering all greenhouse gases and economic sectors, with the aim of keeping global warming within the 1.5°C threshold. These updated plans, he said, should reflect a bold vision for a just and inclusive green transition.
Secondly, he called for scaled-up support to developing nations, including a credible roadmap to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually for climate finance by 2035. He reminded developed countries of their promise to double adaptation finance to $40 billion this year and called for increased contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable nations already facing the harshest impacts.
In response to questions from journalists, the Secretary-General confirmed China’s participation in the meeting and commended President Xi’s commitment that China’s NDCs would cover all economic sectors and greenhouse gases — a significant and welcome development for the global climate agenda.
Addressing a question about the United States and former President Donald Trump’s pro-fossil fuel stance, the Secretary-General noted that the U.S. operates within a market economy where private sector dynamics often lead the way. He observed that despite differing political views, renewable energy is already winning the economic argument in the U.S., where its costs are now lower than those of fossil fuels and where many local governments and businesses remain committed to climate goals.
Looking ahead to COP30, the Secretary-General promised to sustain momentum through a series of initiatives, including a special September event designed to push leaders toward more ambitious action. “As today’s meeting made clear,” he concluded, “we cannot, must not, and will not let up on climate action.”
