Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights: – Leaders Summit on Climate – Climate – Earth Day – Afghanistan – Afghanistan/Food Insecurity – Myanmar – Libya – Ukraine – Middle East – Colombia – Girls in ICT – General Assembly – Covid-19 Recovery – Press Encounter Today
LEADERS SUMMIT ON CLIMATE The Secretary-General thanks President Biden for convening today’s Leaders’ Summit. The commitments and actions announced, provide a much-needed boost to our collective efforts to address the climate crisis ahead of the COP26 meeting in Glasgow later this year.
The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of new and enhanced national determined contributions including by the United States of America, Canada, and Japan, the commitment of Brazil to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, as well as the announcement by the Republic of Korea that it will end all external financing of coal and submit a more ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution this year.
The leadership of all major emitters will be critical to securing success at Glasgow. It is now urgent that all countries – especially other major emitters – present their 2030 climate plans well before COP26.
The upcoming Petersberg Climate Dialogue, the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals Summit and the Summit of G7 Leaders will be crucial moments for leaders to deliver vital climate finance commitments especially on the $100 billion goal in support of developing countries climate action promised over a decade ago.
The world will be watching carefully, particularly those already experiencing severe climate impacts and the ongoing economic crisis. Delivering on finance and adaptation is a prerequisite for success, and the Secretary-General is encouraged by the announcements made today by President Biden.
Today’s Summit shows the tide is turning for climate action, but there is still a long way to go. To avert a permanent climate catastrophe, we must now urgently build on the momentum delivered today, in this make-or-break year for people and planet, the Secretary-General said. He adds that he is looking forward to convening leaders in September to make that final push towards COP26.
CLIMATE The Secretary-General spoke at the Climate Leaders Summit earlier today. He said that we need a green planet, but the world is on red alert. He called on leaders to take action by putting a price on carbon, ending subsidies for fossil fuels, ramping up investments in renewable energy and green infrastructure, as well as stopping the financing of coal, and ensuring a just transition for affected people and communities.
He underscored that the pandemic cannot be used to continue polluting the planet, adding that we cannot burden future generations with a mountain of debt on a broken planet.
EARTH DAY Today is International Mother Earth Day and in his message, the Secretary-General said we must end our war on nature and nurse it back to health. That means bold climate action, stronger steps to protect biodiversity and reducing pollution by building circular economies that drive down waste. He added that these steps will safeguard our only home and create millions of new jobs.
On a related note, today also marks the entry into force of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, also known as the Escazú Agreement.
The Agreement is Latin America and the Caribbean’s first regional environmental treaty. It is also the first such treaty to include specific provisions for the protection and promotion of human rights defenders in environmental matters.
In his message, the Secretary-General said the Escazú Agreement’s entry into force provides hope and inspiration and sets the stage for sustainable and resilient recovery. He commends Latin American and Caribbean States that have ratified the treaty and urges all countries to join them as soon as possible.