UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced he will convene a Climate Ambition Summit in September 2023, to generate “new, tangible and credible climate action” to “accelerate action at the mid-way point” of the SDGs. Going forward, he said he will push for a Climate Solidarity Pact, for all big emitters to “make an extra effort” to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the 1.5°C goal and provide support for those who need it.

In his remarks at the end-of-year press conference, Guterres extended an invitation to leaders from governments, business, cities and regions, civil society, and finance to attend the Summit, noting they must pay a non-negotiable price of entry in the form of “credible, serious and new climate action and nature-based solutions that will move the needle forward and respond to the urgency of the climate crisis.” “There will be no room for back-sliders, greenwashers, blame-shifters or repackaging of announcements of previous years,” he said.

We are finally starting to forge a peace pact with nature.

Taking stock of the year 2022, the Secretary-General said “geopolitical divides have made global problem solving ever more difficult.” Noting the cost-of-living crisis, growing inequalities, and “skyrocketing” debt service payments, he underscored that “[t]his is not a time to sit on the sidelines,” but a time for resolve, determination, and hope. As an example, Guterres highlighted the new Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed just hours earlier at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 15) in Montreal, Canada. “We are finally starting to forge a peace pact with nature,” he said, urging all countries to deliver.

Among other achievements, Guterres highlighted the establishment at the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, of new funding arrangements for assisting developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to loss and damage. He also noted: the launch of a guide on the credible implementation of net-zero pledges for businesses, investors, cities, and regions; an action plan to cover every person in the world with early warning systems within five years; and Just Energy Transition Partnerships with Indonesia, South Africa, and Viet Nam.

The Secretary-General emphasized the role of diplomacy in helping “pull several conflicts from the brink,” including efforts in Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Yemen, and in addressing global food insecurity through the Black Sea Grain initiative to facilitate exports of food and fertilizers from Ukraine.

The Secretary-General expressed determination to make 2023 a year for peace and action, to advance the SDGs, address inequalities, and “deliver a livable planet to our children and grandchildren.”

The Climate Ambition Summit will convene alongside the SDG Summit, also slated for September 2023. [UN News Story]