Although global missions need to decline by 45 per cent below 2010 levels in order to meet the 1.5-degree goal, current national climate pledges would result in a 14 per cent increase by 2030. “We need to work together to bring stability to global food and energy markets and support developing economies. Ukraine’s food production, and the food and fertilizer produced by Russia, must be brought back into world markets — despite the war,” he said.
The climate crisis is our number one emergency, he said, warning that the battle to keep global temperature rise to the 1.5-degree goal “will be won or lost” by the end of the decade.
Climate crisis top priority
They include proposed Biennial Summits to work towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient global economy.
“Strengthening multilateralism – the theme of this session – is not a choice, but a necessity,” Mr. Guterres said in a video message.
Describing this as “collective suicide”, the UN chief called for a “renewable energy revolution,” with ending the global addiction to fossil fuels as the top priority.
‘Renewable energy revolution’
The Summits would bring together the G20, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), international financial institutions, and the Office of the Secretary-General.
With the war in Ukraine amplifying other crises, resulting in increased prices for food and fertilizer, the UN chief highlighted the “real risk” of multiple famines this year, and the potential for even worse in 2023.
Mr. Guterres stressed that a New Global Deal is needed to rebalance power and financial resources, and enable these nations to invest in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Stabilize food and energy markets
The UN chief outlined three areas for urgent multilateral action: the growing climate emergency; the food, energy and finance crisis, and the unequal recovery from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, many developing countries have suffered devastating economic losses during the pandemic but cannot access finance for recovery.
“The international debt architecture requires urgent reform. We need an operational debt relief and restructuring framework that takes account of vulnerability,” he said.
Meanwhile, record high energy prices are already triggering blackouts and fuel shortages.
The meeting is taking place at an extremely challenging moment for multilateralism and global governance, with the international order “at risk of coming apart at the seams”, he said, citing challenges that include the climate emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and new and evolving forms of conflict.
“Wealthier countries must finally make good on the 0 billion climate finance commitment to developing countries, starting this year. We also need a radical boost for adaptation and early warning systems,” he said.
New Global Deal
This means no new coal plants, or expansion in oil and gas exploration, he said. Furthermore, emerging economies must have access to resources and technology to transition to renewable energy.
“The global financial system must use all the instruments at its disposal, with flexibility and understanding, to achieve this.”
A health centre in Afghanistan is using renewable energy reducing the reliance on fossil fuels which are contributing to climate change.
The UN is working with countries to bring forward recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda report, which focuses on strengthening multilateralism.
Unite to deliver
The Secretary-General underscored that the world requires a multilateralism that is more effective, more networked, and more inclusive, saying “we need to combine the strengths of existing institutions to deliver together on humanity’s most pressing challenges”.
Greater effort is also required to increase the number of countries that can produce COVID-19 vaccines, therapies and tests, by sharing licenses and providing technical and financial support.
A health worker prepares to administer COVID-19 vaccines at a village in Kasungu, Malawi.
