Category: COP28

MIL-OSI: Capgemini’s World Energy Markets Observatory annual report 2024: The Paris Agreement’s goals are no longer achievable, but net zero is still in sight with accelerated efforts
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press contact:
Florence Lievre
Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 71
Email: florence.lievre@capgemini.com

Capgemini’s World Energy Markets Observatory annual report 2024:
The Paris Agreement’s goals are no longer achievable, but net zero is still in sight with accelerated efforts
- Despite impressive strides in 2023 and positive projections for 2024, the pace of renewable development isn’t fast enough
- The critical role of nuclear energy to addressing increased clean energy demands is now recognized, but construction of new large power plants takes time and industrialization of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is proving complex
- Addressing the complexity of energy transition challenges will require new market mechanisms encouraging further innovation, choosing appropriate measures, and accelerated public and private investment in low carbon technologies and the power grid
Paris, October 10, 2024 – Capgemini has published the 26^thedition of its annual World Energy Markets Observatory (WEMO), created in partnership with Hogan Lovells, Vaasa ETT and Enerdata. The report takes stock of the current state of the energy transition. Despite progress being made, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are continuing to increase, reaching a new record high of 37.4 billion tonnes (Gt) in 2023¹, confirming that the path to the reach Paris Agreement’s objectives is not on track. The report provides insights on what the key focus areas would need to be, moving forward, to address the complex energy transition challenges, including a change in the measurement of clean energy progress, as well as accelerated investment in the power grid and clean technologies.

James Forrest, Global Energy Transition & Utilities Industry Leader at Capgemini says: “Despite an historical spike in renewable penetration, the pace of development isn’t fast enough to close the gap. There is still much to do in the next decade to get closer to net zero by 2050 and achieve a successful energy transition: whether it be in the field of low carbon technologies, R&D efforts, nuclear or grid flexibility and storage. In addition, beyond the necessary adoption of new market mechanisms, a shift away from measuring energy based on primary consumption is needed. This measurement was relevant during past energy crises, but it is now time to adopt a more holistic approach. Moving to a final energy demand measurement would better assess clean energy progress and ensure more accurate projections.”

Key observations from the 2024 report include:
- There is a need to hasten the deployment of renewable energy globally, and to accelerate in developing countries, to deliver the 2030 and 2050 decarbonization goals. The total amount of final energy provided by renewable energy is likely to be limited to about 40% of global needs. In 2023, total renewable energy capacity increased by 14% year on year with a larger capacity expansion of solar (32%) than wind (13%). But, whilst 2024 is promising to hit another record, as this was the case for the 22^nd previous years, this growth is far below what is needed to achieve net zero carbon in 2050. Moreover, while the renewable penetration rate increases, they are impacting grid stability and association with stationary batteries will become compulsory. According to the report, storable renewable energies development, such as biomass or geothermal energy, should be accelerated.
- Hydrogen is now a strategic lever in the decarbonization path. The number of projects reaching final investment decision has quadrupled over the last two years. However, a refocus of applications has been observed due to the increasing costs of low-carbon hydrogen production, competition between uses, and regulations. Only certain uses in ‘Hard to Abate’ industries, such as heavy industry and maritime mobility, have strong potential.
- Global nuclear capacity needs to triple to ensure stable, low-carbon power. COP28 has recognized the critical role of nuclear energy for reducing the effects of climate change. While there is some promising progress in nuclear renaissance, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), development of new nuclear power plants is still difficult. In 2023, 440 nuclear reactors (390 GW) provided 9% of the world’s electricity, 25% of the world’s low-carbon electricity. SMRs are in the planning or early construction stages with many years before they are deployed at scale as their industrialization can prove to be complex. According to the report, more focus needs to be placed on extending the life of existing nuclear plants.
- The power grid plays a fundamental role to accelerate clean energy transitions. Grid investment is starting to pick up and is expected to reach USD 400 billion in 2024², with Europe, the United Sates, China and parts of Latin America leading the way. According to the report, better forecasting electricity consumption and finer optimization scenarios thanks to technologies such as AI will help to improve grid balancing.
- Whilst AI has the potential to significantly accelerate decarbonization, a lack of skills and a focus on short-term proof of concepts is hampering adoption to date. However, AI coupled with GenAI in agentic LLM (Large Language Model) workflows³ has a clear role to play as a catalyst to improve grids efficiency, e-fuel discovery; new battery or wind turbine design; synthetic biology; and augmented insights from many data sources for better informed decision making.
  - Protectionist approaches to increasing energy sovereignty may have undesirable implications. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are affecting energy markets and systems. To ensure security of supply, the use of embargoes, tariffs and subsidies in almost all jurisdictions is distorting energy markets and threatens efficient allocation of capital. According to the report, embargoes are proving ineffective, and decreasing the transparency and traceability of energy supplies, which is essential to tracking decarbonization efforts. Denying access to the cheapest sources of energy equipment and energy supplies drives up prices for consumers and reduces funding available for the energy transition.
  - According to the report, ‘Primary Energy Demand’ is an outdated concept for energy transition. There is a need to move from primary to final energy consumption measurement (in kWh) to ensure accurate projections, and clean energy progress. Measuring energy based on primary consumption ignores that: for the same end-energy services, new electric services are generally more efficient; a lot of fossil fuels are wasted in the generation of electricity; energy is also wasted on finding and processing fossil fuels.
The World Energy Markets Observatory (WEMO) is Capgemini’s annual thought leadership and research report created in partnership with Hogan Lovells, Vaasa ETT and Enerdata, that tracks the transformation of global energy markets, including Europe, North America, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, and China. Now in its 26^th edition, the report has been prepared by a global team of over 100 experts, and includes 15 articles, all backed with rigorous analysis. The report begins with a global outlook, then covers the topics pivotal to the energy transition including geopolitical impacts, demand side energy transition, batteries, renewables, SMRs, Hydrogen, Industrial Heat, GenAI and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
For more information and to get access to the report, click here

About Capgemini
Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2023 global revenues of €22.5 billion.
Get The Future You Want | http://www.capgemini.com

1 Source: IEA- CO2 Emissions in 2023
2 Source IEA: Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions

3 GenAI in agentic LLM (Large Language Model): iterative and collaborative model that transforms the interaction with LLMs into a series of manageable, refinable steps.

Attachments
- Infographic – WEMO 2024_Capgemini
- 2024_10_10_Capgemini_WEMO_Press Release_EN
The MIL Network –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How the ‘social cost of carbon’ measurement can hide economic inequalities and mask climate suffering

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Majid Hashemi, Adjunct assistant professor, Economics Department, Queen’s University, Ontario

The social cost of carbon (SCC) is an essential tool for climate decision-making around the world. SCC is essentially a large cost-benefit calculation that helps policymakers compare the benefits of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the society-wide costs of continued use.

The “right” SCC has long been an open debate, with several studies attempting to estimate it using a range of methods. In fact, there are more than 323 studies that provide varying SCC estimates in one form or another.

Most studies focus on the global level working with aggregate SCC values from countries around the world. This global value, however, hides an important nuance. When one looks at individual SCC values at the country level a clear picture emerges. Poorer countries have proportionally lower SCCs than richer ones.

Read more:
Don’t applaud the COP28 climate summit’s loss and damage fund deal just yet – here’s what’s missing

To put this in context, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a global social cost of carbon at US$208 per ton of CO2 for 2024 (average of recent studies).

The Government of Canada uses the same EPA value after exchange rate. When this global estimate (i.e., the aggregate damages to the entire planet) is broken down to country-specific estimates (i.e., the damages to a particular country), it reveals SCCs of less than US$1 for poor countries.

Does this imply that poorer countries bear lower costs due to climate change impacts? Not at all, in fact the reality is quite the opposite. Studies reveal that the damages associated with climate change are proportionally higher for lower-income countries. These damages are often hidden in SCC values in ways that reveal much about the inequalities of our modern world.

Why is the social cost of carbon lower?

The answer is the modelling approach.

To estimate the social cost of carbon, a complicated model integrates multidisciplinary scientific evidence into a single framework to analyze climate change damages. These models incorporate “damage functions” that account for various pathways through which climate change impacts societies.

Pathways include some of the things that we can measure, such as reduced agricultural productivity, increased energy expenditures for space heating and cooling, flood-related property damages and premature death due to extreme temperatures and weather events.

Despite the comprehensive nature of these climate damage models, a critical disparity remains. The monetary value of damages is significantly smaller in poorer countries than in richer ones. Again, this does not mean the impacts are less severe; instead, it reflects the lower overall economic value of losses in these regions because of their lower overall income levels.

One of the three studies referenced by the U.S. EPA’s guidance on SCC finds climate-change-related agriculture damages and premature deaths account for 45 per cent and 49 per cent of the total global damages, respectively. In poorer countries these percentages are likely much lower given both a comparatively undervalued agricultural sector and lower ability to pay for life saving equipment.

Simply put, extreme global economic inequality hides the very real losses and damages experienced by many in poorer countries. This is because the comparative wealth gap between them and richer countries results in a lower relative SCC value.

What does this mean?

To a national policymaker, an almost zero SCC means that climate change-related projects will likely compete neck-and-neck with basic-needs projects (e.g., addressing malnutrition). From the global perspective, this leaves poorer countries with little incentive to allocate resources to the fight against climate change. Poor countries may even see their investments in such efforts as nothing more than donations to richer countries.

Indeed, from such a simple SCC-based perspective any CO2 emissions reduction step a poorer country takes could result in a higher SCC value in richer countries — a value which they are likely to receive very little of. What can be done to address this imbalance?

Read more:
How COP28 failed the world’s small islands

One proposed solution has been to use the differences in SCC values between poorer and richer countries to inform international climate negotiations on the implied historical responsibility and liability, commonly known as the loss and damage funds.

Additionally, international development assistance to climate adaptation funds should be more equitably aligned with SCC imbalances to ensure that richer countries — which will benefit more from emission reduction efforts — help bear the burden in supporting poorer countries’ adaptation and mitigation efforts.

While methods for estimating SCC values have become more sophisticated in recent years, addressing the global-versus-country-specific imbalance requires a combination of financial transfers and practical co-operation between richer and poorer nations. This will help ensure that the costs and benefits of global CO2 emissions reductions are shared more equally, accounting for both ethical and economic considerations.

Majid Hashemi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How the ‘social cost of carbon’ measurement can hide economic inequalities and mask climate suffering – https://theconversation.com/how-the-social-cost-of-carbon-measurement-can-hide-economic-inequalities-and-mask-climate-suffering-233041

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why it’s so hard to kick fossil fuels out of sport

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Theo Lorenzo Frixou, PhD Candidate, Social Sciences, Loughborough University

A 52 Super Series sailing race off Palma de Mallorca. Villegas Photo/Shutterstock

Governments and public relations firms are under pressure to, in UN secretary-general António Guterres’s words, stop “fuelling the madness” and ban fossil fuel advertising or cut ties with the industry.

France, Amsterdam, Sheffield and Edinburgh have all restricted fossil fuel advertising to differing degrees in recognition of the industry’s responsibility for climate breakdown.

People working in the advertising industry are among those calling for an end to working with fossil fuel companies. There is a reputational risk with continuing to represent these businesses. Four advertising agencies recently lost a sustainability certification for taking an oil company as a client.

Oil and gas advertising is perhaps most prolific in sport. A recent report estimated that fossil fuel companies have invested more than £4 billion across 200 sponsorship deals.

Fellow researchers have appealed for sport to be included in any further advertising bans. There is a precedent: a tobacco advertising ban came into force in the UK in 2002. Bear in mind, that ban took nearly 40 years of campaigning and tobacco executives have shown they’re capable of navigating its loopholes.

Even so, the fossil fuel industry will prove significantly harder to purge than tobacco. Here’s why.

‘No fossil fuels, no sport’

Human development is largely a story of increasing energy use. Oil in particular has transformed everyday life beyond comprehension.

Whether it be in the form of high-profile sponsorship deals, sporting equipment made from petrol-based products like carbon fibre or flying to meet the demand for ever more fixtures, modern sport reflects society’s oil dependency.

Sport is entwined with high-carbon industries.
Parkdolly/Shutterstock

The fossil fuel industry knows this. Despite the longstanding scientific consensus that fossil fuels must be phased out, the industry seeks to convince the public that oil and gas will still be needed for a very long time.

Analysis of one oil company’s sustainability reports identified how its communications strategy shifted from denying the results of climate science to more subtle efforts to delay an energy transition. These included the argument that fossil fuels are an irreplaceable precondition for “the good life”.

Sport is a vehicle for perpetuating this argument. In 2021, an oil and gas trade association in the US launched a campaign showcasing sports products made from petroleum, the implication being that people cannot enjoy sport without fossil fuels.

Sport is poised for corporate piggybacking because it evokes connection, pride and security in fans and spectators – feelings the fossil fuel industry is keen to capitalise on. An analysis of the Canadian oil industry’s advertising between 2006 and 2015 documented a shift from images of the natural environment to those depicting family life and domesticity.

This kind of pernicious messaging, which entrenches fossil fuels within the things people hold dear, will be hard for legislators to reverse.

Oil change

Imre Szeman, a professor of human geography who specialises in the energy transition, urges us to comprehend just how deep our relationship with oil runs.

Addressing climate change is not simply a technical matter, but a cultural one as well. An issue of how we grasp what is so often taken for granted in everyday life.

Change will not only require acknowledging the severity of the environmental crisis, but to recognise how its primary causes have shaped society, including in elite sport. It’s crucial to understand modern societies as oil societies if we are ever to envisage one no longer dependent on it.

Sport sponsorships reflect the infiltration of fossil fuels in modern society.
Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock

So, considering sport, the first step is to remove the cognitive dissonance that surrounds modern elite sporting culture, the nature of its oil dependency and the consequences of climate change.

Sporting organisations can start by saying no to fossil fuel sponsorship. There are examples of this happening already in tennis, rugby and the Olympics, with Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo indicating an oil company was not welcome as a sponsor of the 2024 Games.

Change happens by disaster or by design. It’s time to recognise the decades long influence wielded by the fossil fuel industry.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Theo Lorenzo Frixou does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Why it’s so hard to kick fossil fuels out of sport – https://theconversation.com/why-its-so-hard-to-kick-fossil-fuels-out-of-sport-239620

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Policies to Foster Green FDI: Best Practices for Emerging Market and Developing Economies

Source: International Monetary Fund

Summary

Meeting COP28 goals requires a substantial increase in clean energy investment by 2030, including in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs). Amid domestic financial constraints, foreign direct investment (FDI) could play a key role in EMDEs’ ability to close their renewable energy investment gap and finance green projects, more broadly. This Note finds that strengthening climate policies boosts FDI into renewable energy in EMDEs, especially in those with solar power potential, while less clear effects are found for FDI into EVs and green hydrogen possibly due to their recent emergence. Closing the average climate policy gap with respect to AEs could secure 40 percent of the private finance needed for renewable energy investment in EMDEs, helping overcome the impact of high financing costs. Strengthening the macro-structural framework, such as through improving trade and capital account openness and institutional quality, would also raise green FDI inflows, complementing climate policies. Case studies show that countries that attracted FDI into renewable energy put in place a large and diverse set of policies in the electricity sector, including those that secure a revenue stream for investors in the initial phases, such as power-purchase agreements/feed-in tariffs, renewables targets, and complementary investments. Countries that successfully attracted FDI into EVs relied on the development of national sectoral strategies including production and adoption subsidies, prior comparative advantage in the sector, and bilateral alliances with key players in the EV market. Finally, comprehensive national hydrogen strategies that leverage international efforts to boost production, and good conditions for production of renewable energy, were key drivers of green hydrogen FDI. Global initiatives such as the Just Energy Transition Partnerships and the EU strategy for green hydrogen are benefitting FDI to EMDEs.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Trade Deal is no deal for Workers

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

“Today’s announcement of a possible trade deal with the United Arab Emirates is not a cause for celebration”, says NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. “There is no evidence of a deal with no enforceable rights for workers, protections against forced labour or modern slavery. Nothing has been noted abut enhancing the rights of women in the UAE.”

“We don’t currently know the real value of the deal. No National Impact Analysis or economic analysis has been made public. The International Trade Union Confederation states the UAE has one of the worst records for absolute denial of fundamental workers’ rights. No Independent Trade Unions are allowed under UAE law, nor is there any right to strike. One thing we do know is that this deal does nothing to help tackle climate change.”

“We will be working with the Government, parliament, and allies to highlight the problems that this trade deal will create. Migrant workers in the UAE make up 88 percent of the overall workforce, yet they have little or no protections at work. This agreement does nothing to protect them. We should send this agreement back so that a properly enforceable trade deal can be signed,” said Wagstaff.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Pacific Countries React to Pact for the Future – Press Conference | United Nations

Source: United Nations (Video News)

Press conference with leaders from the Pacific Small Island Developing States to discuss the outcomes of the summits in relation to the crucial debate on an equitable phase-out of fossil fuels and a just energy transition.

Fossil fuels are one of the greatest threats of our time. They undermine all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), from fueling conflicts globally to compromising health, security, and livelihoods. Governments must face them as the cross-cutting issue they are and address them in multiple multilateral forums. The UN General Assembly and the Summit of the Future were crucial opportunities to test whether the COP28 commitment to “transition away from fossil fuels” is genuine and here to stay. Have these summits achieved this goal? And how does the proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty feed into these processes?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQQagceAGnM

MIL OSI Video –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening of the General Debate of the Seventy-ninth Session of the General Assembly [trilingual, as delivered, scroll down for all-English and all-French]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our world is in a whirlwind.

We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.

Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.

Wars rage with no clue how they will end.

And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.

We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.

Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.

I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.

First, the state of our world is unsustainable.

We can’t go on like this.

And second, the challenges we face are solvable.

But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.

The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.

Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.

A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.

A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.

And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.

These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.

Excellencies,

The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.

Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.

They can trample international law.

They can violate the United Nations Charter.

They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.

They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.

They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.

And nothing will happen.

We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.

The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.

Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.

It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.

Look no further than Lebanon.

We should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

Let’s be clear.

Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.

And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.

More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.

And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.

I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.

The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.

For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:

What is the alternative?

How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?

In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.

In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.

From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.

Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.

Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.

For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.

There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.

It can feel as though we don’t have that today.

Nor do we have a unipolar world.

We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.

We are in a purgatory of polarity.

And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.

That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.

Anywhere and everywhere.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.

L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.

Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.

Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.

Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.

Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.

Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.

Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.

Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.

Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.

Excellences,

La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.

Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.

Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.

Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.

Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifesteet je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.

Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.

C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.

C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies,objectif qui est déjà complété.

C’est faisable.

J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.

Excellences,

Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.

Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.

À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.

Un changement s’impose.

Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.

Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.

Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.

Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.

Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.

Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.

Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.

Excelencias,

Volver al camino correcto requiere un aumento de financiamiento para la Agenda 2030 y el Acuerdo de París.

Esto implica que los países del G20 lideren un Estímulo para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de 500.000 millones de dólares al año.

Implica reformas para aumentar sustancialmente la capacidad de préstamo de los Bancos Multilaterales de Desarrollo – y permitirles ampliar masivamente la financiación asequible a largo plazo para el clima y el desarrollo.

Implica ampliar la financiación de contingencia mediante el reciclaje de los Derechos Especiales de Giro.

E implica promover una reestructuración de la deuda a largo plazo.

Excelencias,

No me hago ilusiones sobre las barreras a la reforma del sistema multilateral.

Los que tienen poder político y económico, o y los que creen tenerlo, son siempre reacios al cambio.

Pero el status quo ya está agotando su poder.

Sin reformas, la fragmentación es inevitable, y las instituciones globales perderán legitimidad, credibilidad y eficacia.

Excellencies,

The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.

The ground is shifting under our feet.

Anxiety levels are off the charts.

And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.

Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.

Excellencies,

We are in a climate meltdown.

Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.

They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.

No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.

Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.

And this is just the start.

We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.

But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.

Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.

Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.

But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.

Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.

Excellencies,

A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.

That is in your hands.

By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.

These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.

They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.

An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.

By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.

The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.

They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.

But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.

I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.

Finance is essential.

COP29 is around the corner.

It must deliver a significant new finance goal.

We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.

And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:

We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.

The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.

I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;

To put an effective price on carbon;

And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.

All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.

Polluters must pay.

Excellencies,

The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.

Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.

We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:

To more freedom – or more conflict?

To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?

To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?

A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.

Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.

The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.

It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.

The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.

I welcome important first steps.

Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.

Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.

Excellencies,

Nothing lasts forever.

But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.

The current order always feels fixed.

Until it is not.

Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.

Today our course is unsustainable.

It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.

Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.

That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.

You proved that is not true.

The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.

It is not the end.

It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.

Let’s keep going.

Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.

The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.

Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.

I thank you.

***
[all-English]

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our world is in a whirlwind.

We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.

Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.

Wars rage with no clue how they will end.

And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.

We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.

Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.

I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.

First, the state of our world is unsustainable.

We can’t go on like this.

And second, the challenges we face are solvable.

But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.

The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.

Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.

A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.

A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.

And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.

These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.

Excellencies,

The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.

Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.

They can trample international law.

They can violate the United Nations Charter.

They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.

They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.

They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.

And nothing will happen.

We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.

The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.

Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.

It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.

Look no further than Lebanon.

We should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

Let’s be clear.

Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.

And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.

More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.

And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.

I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.

The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.

For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:

What is the alternative?

How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?

In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.

In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.

From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.

Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.

Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.

For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.

There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.

It can feel as though we don’t have that today.

Nor do we have a unipolar world.

We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.

We are in a purgatory of polarity.

And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.

That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.

Anywhere and everywhere.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Rising inequalities are a second driver of unsustainability and a stain on our collective conscience.

Inequality is not a technical or bureaucratic issue.

At its heart, inequality is a question of power with historic roots.

Conflict, climate upheaval and the cost-of-living crisis, are pushing those roots deeper.

At the same time, the world has not recovered from the surge in inequalities caused by the pandemic.

Of the world’s poorest 75 countries, one-third are worse off today than they were five years ago.

During that same period, the five richest men in the world have more than doubled their wealth.

And the top one per cent of people on earth own 43 per cent of all global financial assets.

At the national level, some governments are supercharging inequalities by doling out massive tax giveaways to corporations and the ultra-rich, while shortchanging investments in health, education and social protection.

No one is being short-changed more than the world’s women and girls.

Excellencies,

Rampant gender-based discrimination and abuse are the most prevalent inequality across all societies.

Every day, it seems we are confronted by yet more sickening cases of femicide, gender-based violence and mass rape, both in peacetime and as a weapon of war.

In some countries, laws are being used to threaten reproductive health and rights.

And in Afghanistan, laws are being used to lock-in the systematic oppression of women and girls.

And I am sorry to observe that despite years of talk, gender inequality is on full display, and I am sorry for mentioning it here, gender inequality is on full display in this very Hall.

Less than 10 per cent of speakers during this week’s General Debate are women.

This is unacceptable – especially when we know gender equality delivers for peace, sustainable development, climate action and much more.

That is precisely why we took targeted measures to achieve gender parity among the United Nations senior leadership, an objective that has already been achieved.

It’s doable.

I call on male-dominated political and economic establishments around the world to do it as well.

Excellencies,

Global inequalities are reflected and reinforced even in our own global institutions.

The United Nations Security Council was designed by the victors of the Second World War.

Most of Africa was still under colonial domination.

To this day, Africa has no permanent seat on the world’s preeminent council of peace.

This must change.

So must the global financial architecture, set up 80 years ago.

I commend the leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for taking important steps.

But as the Pact for the Future emphasizes, tackling inequalities requires accelerating reform of the international financial architecture.

Over the past eight decades, the global economy has grown and transformed.

The Bretton Woods institutions have not kept pace.

They can no longer provide a global safety net – or offer developing countries the level of support they need.

Debt interest payments in the world’s poorest countries now cost more, on average, than investments in education, health and infrastructure combined.

And around the world, more than 80 per cent of Sustainable Development Goal targets are off track.

Excellencies,

Getting back on track requires a surge of financing for the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

That means G20 countries leading on an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion a year.

It means reforms to substantially increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks and enable them to massively scale-up affordable long-term climate and development finance.

It means expanding contingency financing through recycling Special Drawing Rights.

And it means promoting long-term debt-restructuring.

Excellencies,

I have no illusions about the obstacles to reform of the multilateral system.

Those with political and economic power – and those who believe they have power – are always reluctant to change.

But the status quo is already draining their power.

Without reform, fragmentation is inevitable, and global institutions will become less legitimate, less credible, and less effective.

Excellencies,

The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.

The ground is shifting under our feet.

Anxiety levels are off the charts.

And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.

Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.

Excellencies,

We are in a climate meltdown.

Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.

They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.

No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.

Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.

And this is just the start.

We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.

But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.

Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.

Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.

But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.

Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.

Excellencies,

A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.

That is in your hands.

By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.

These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.

They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.

An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.

By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.

The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.

They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.

But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.

I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.

Finance is essential.

COP29 is around the corner.

It must deliver a significant new finance goal.

We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.

And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:

We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.

The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.

I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;

To put an effective price on carbon;

And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.

All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.

Polluters must pay.

Excellencies,

The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.

Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.

We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:

To more freedom – or more conflict?

To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?

To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?

A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.

Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.

The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.

It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.

The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.

I welcome important first steps.

Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.

Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.

Excellencies,

Nothing lasts forever.

But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.

The current order always feels fixed.

Until it is not.

Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.

Today our course is unsustainable.

It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.

Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.

That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.

You proved that is not true.

The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.

It is not the end.

It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.

Let’s keep going.

Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.

The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.

Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.

I thank you.

***
[all-French]

Monsieur le Président,

Excellences,

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Notre monde est pris dans un tourbillon.

Nous vivons une ère de transformation aux proportions épiques et faisons face à des défis sans précédent qui exigent des solutions mondiales.

Et pourtant, les divisions géopolitiques ne vont qu’en s’aggravant. La planète continue de se réchauffer.

Les guerres font rage sans que l’on sache comment elles vont se terminer.

Les gesticulations nucléaires et les nouvelles armes font planer sur nous une ombre inquiétante.

Nous allons tout droit vers l’inimaginable : une poudrière qui risque d’engloutir le monde.

En 2024, la moitié de l’humanité doit se rendre aux urnes – et c’est sur l’humanité tout entière que pèsera l’issue de ces scrutins.

Je me tiens devant vous, face à ce tourbillon, convaincu de deux vérités primordiales.

Tout d’abord, l’état dans lequel se trouve notre monde n’est pas viable.

On ne peut pas continuer ainsi.

Et deuxièmement, il est possible de relever les défis auxquels nous sommes confrontés.

Mais pour cela, nous devons nous assurer que les mécanismes de règlement des problèmes internationaux permettent bel et bien de régler les problèmes.

Le Sommet de l’avenir était un premier pas, mais le chemin à parcourir est encore long.

Pour y parvenir, il faut s’attaquer à trois grands facteurs de l’insoutenabilité.

Un monde d’impunité – dans lequel les violations et les atteintes menacent le fondement même du droit international et de la Charte des Nations Unies.

Un monde d’inégalités – où les injustices et les griefs auxquelles elles donnent jour menacent d’affaiblir les pays, ou pire, de les précipiter dans le gouffre.

Et un monde d’incertitude – où les risques mondiaux ne sont pas gérés, ce qui hypothèque notre avenir, bien au-delà de ce que l’on peut imaginer.

Ces mondes d’impunité, d’inégalité et d’incertitude sont liés entre eux et se télescopent.

Excellences,

Le degré d’impunité dans le monde est indéfendable sur le plan politique et moralement intolérable.

Aujourd’hui, un nombre croissant de gouvernements et d’autres acteurs se sentent autorisés à bénéficier, comme au Monopoly, d’une carte « Vous êtes libéré de prison ».

Ils peuvent fouler aux pieds le droit international.

Ils peuvent violer la Charte des Nations Unies.

Ils peuvent ignorer les conventions internationales relatives aux droits humains ou les décisions des tribunaux internationaux.

Ils peuvent bafouer le droit international humanitaire.

Ils peuvent envahir un autre pays, dévaster des sociétés entières ou mépriser complètement le bien-être de leur propre peuple.

Sans que rien ne se passe.

Partout ‒ au Moyen-Orient, au cœur de l’Europe, dans la Corne de l’Afrique et au-delà ‒ c’est l’ère de l’impunité.

La guerre en Ukraine s’étend et rien n’indique qu’elle va s’arrêter.

Ce sont les populations civiles qui en paient le prix. À preuve, les morts de plus en plus nombreuses, les vies et les communautés brisées.

Il est temps d’instaurer une paix juste, fondée sur la Charte des Nations Unies, le droit international et les résolutions des organes des Nations Unies.

Pendant ce temps, Gaza vit un cauchemar permanent qui menace d’entraîner toute la région dans le chaos.

À commencer par le Liban.

Nous devrions tous être alarmés par cette escalade.

Le Liban est au bord du gouffre.

Le peuple libanais, le peuple israélien et les peuples du monde ne peuvent se permettre que le Liban devienne un autre Gaza.

Soyons clairs.

Rien ne peut justifier les actes de terreur abominables commis par le Hamas le 7 octobre, ni les prises d’otages, que j’ai condamnés à maintes reprises.

Mais rien ne peut justifier d’infliger un châtiment collectif au peuple palestinien.

La rapidité et l’ampleur du massacre et des destructions à Gaza ne ressemblent à rien d’autre de ce que j’ai connu depuis que je suis Secrétaire général.

Plus de 200 membres du personnel des Nations Unies ont déjà été tués et, souvent, des membres de leurs familles ont aussi péri à leurs côtés.

Et pourtant, les femmes et les hommes des Nations Unies continuent d’accomplir leur mission.

Je sais que vous vous joignez à moi pour rendre un hommage appuyé à l’UNRWA et à tous les humanitaires à Gaza.

La communauté internationale doit se mobiliser pour obtenir un cessez-le-feu immédiat, la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle des tous les otages et le lancement d’un processus irréversible pour qu’une solution des deux États voie le jour.

J’aimerais poser une question à ceux qui continuent de saper cet objectif en multipliant les implantations, les expulsions, les provocations:
Quelle est l’alternative ?

Comment le monde pourrait-il accepter un État qui inclurait un grand nombre de Palestiniens et de Palestiniennes privés de liberté, de droits et de dignité ?

Au Soudan, une lutte brutale pour le pouvoir a donné lieu à d’horribles violences, notamment des viols et des agressions sexuelles à grande échelle.

Une catastrophe humanitaire est en train de se produire dans un pays en proie à une famine rampante. Pourtant, les puissances extérieures continuent de s’ingérer sans aucune approche unifiée pour trouver la paix.

Au Sahel, l’expansion dramatique et rapide de la menace terroriste exige l’adoption d’une approche commune fondée sur la solidarité, mais la coopération régionale et internationale est en panne.

Du Myanmar à la République démocratique du Congo, en passant par Haïti et le Yémen, les populations restent exposées à des violences et des souffrances effroyables, sur fond d’incapacité chronique à trouver des solutions.

Pendant ce temps, nos missions de maintien de la paix opèrent trop souvent dans des lieux où il n’y a tout simplement pas de paix à maintenir.

L’instabilité que l’on observe en de nombreux endroits du monde est la conséquence de l’instabilité des relations de pouvoir et des clivages géopolitiques.

La Guerre Froide était pleine de dangers, mais elle avait aussi ses règles.

Il y avait le téléphone rouge, des limites à ne pas franchir et des garde-fous.

On a parfois l’impression que l’on n’a rien de tout cela aujourd’hui.

Nous ne vivons pas non plus dans un monde unipolaire.

Nous sommes en train de passer à un monde multipolaire, mais nous n’y sommes pas encore.

Nous sommes en fait dans le purgatoire de la polarité.

Et dans ce purgatoire, de plus en plus de pays occupent les espaces laissés vides par les divisions géopolitiques et font ce qu’ils veulent sans avoir à rendre de comptes.

C’est pourquoi il est plus important que jamais de réaffirmer la Charte, d’appuyer et de respecter le droit international et de renforcer les droits humains à travers le monde.

Partout et en tout lieu.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.

L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.

Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.

Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.

Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.

Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.

Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.

Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.

Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.

Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.

Excellences,

La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.

Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.

Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.

Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.

Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifeste, et je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.

Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.

C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.

C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, objectif qui est déjà complété.

C’est faisable.

J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.

Excellences,

Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.

Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.

À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.

Un changement s’impose.

Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.

Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.

Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.

Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.

Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.

Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.

Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.

Excellences,

Pour que l’on puisse redresser le cap, les financements mobilisés pour le Programme 2030 et l’Accord de Paris doivent connaître un véritable bond.

Cela implique que les pays du G20 montrent l’exemple sur le Plan de relance des Objectifs de développement durable, de 500 milliards de dollars par an.

Cela implique également d’engager des réformes pour renforcer considérablement la capacité de prêt des Banques multilatérales de développement, afin qu’elles puissent proposer bien davantage de financements abordables et à long terme pour l’action climatique et le développement.

Cela implique de débloquer plus largement des financements pour imprévus, à travers le recyclage des droits de tirage spéciaux.

Et cela implique de promouvoir une restructuration de la dette à long terme.

Excellences,

Je ne me fais guère d’illusions sur les obstacles que nous rencontrerons dans le cadre de la réforme du système multilatéral.

Ceux qui détiennent le pouvoir politique et économique – et ceux qui croient le détenir – ont toujours une aversion au changement.

Pourtant, le statu quo ébranle déjà leur pouvoir.

Sans réforme, la fragmentation est inévitable, condamnant les institutions mondiales à perdre en légitimité, en crédibilité et en efficacité.

Excellences,

Le troisième facteur de l’insoutenabilité de notre monde est l’incertitude.

Le sol se dérobe sous nos pieds.

L’anxiété est à son comble.

Les jeunes, en particulier, comptent sur nous et recherchent des solutions.

L’incertitude est aggravée par deux menaces existentielles : la crise climatique et les bouleversements technologiques rapides, notamment l’intelligence artificielle.

Excellences,

Nous assistons à un véritable effondrement du climat.

Les températures extrêmes, les incendies violents, les sécheresses et les inondations catastrophiques ne sont pas des catastrophes naturelles.

Ce sont des catastrophes humaines, dont les combustibles fossiles précipitent l’enchaînement.

Aucun pays n’est épargné. Mais ce sont les pays les plus pauvres et les plus vulnérables qui paient le prix fort.

Les calamités climatiques obèrent les budgets de nombreux pays d’Afrique et leur coûtent jusqu’à 5 % de leur PIB – chaque année.

Et ce n’est que le début.

La température mondiale est sur le point de dépasser la limite de 1,5 degré.

Mais si le problème s’aggrave, les solutions que l’on y apporte deviennent plus efficaces.

Prenons l’exemple des énergies renouvelables : leur prix diminue fortement, leur déploiement s’accélère et des populations voient leur quotidien transformé par une énergie propre, accessible et d’un coût abordable.

Les énergies renouvelables ne servent pas qu’à produire de l’électricité. Elles créent aussi des emplois et de la richesse, sont gages de sécurité énergétique et permettent à des millions de personnes de sortir de la pauvreté.

Mais cela ne doit pas passer par le pillage des pays en développement.

Notre Groupe chargé de la question des minéraux essentiels a recommandé que des mesures équitables et durables soient prises pour répondre à la demande mondiale dans ces ressources, indispensables à la révolution des énergies renouvelables.

Excellences,

Il est certain qu’un monde sans combustibles fossiles verra le jour. En revanche, rien ne dit que la transition sera rapide ou équitable.

Cela dépend de vous.

D’ici à l’an prochain, tous les pays devront élaborer de nouveaux plans d’action nationaux pour le climat ambitieux – ou déterminer leurs contributions au niveau national.

Ils devront faire converger leurs stratégies énergétiques nationales, leurs priorités en matière de développement durable et les ambitions climatiques.

Ils devront ne pas dépasser la limite de 1,5 degré, couvrir l’ensemble de l’économie et concourir à la réalisation de tous les objectifs de transition énergétique convenus lors de la COP28.

Dans le rapport qu’elle a publié aujourd’hui, l’Agence internationale de l’énergie chiffre le niveau d’ambition à atteindre.

D’ici à 2035, en moyenne, les émissions de gaz à effet de serre doivent diminuer de 80 % dans les économies avancées, de 65 % dans les marchés émergents.

Les pays du G20 sont responsables au total de 80 % des émissions.

Ils doivent mener la charge, en respectant le principe des responsabilités communes mais différenciées et en tenant compte des capacités de chacun, en fonction des différents contextes nationaux.

Mais cette action doit s’inscrire dans une démarche collective et suppose la mise en commun des ressources, des capacités scientifiques et de technologies abordables à l’efficacité avérée pour que tous puissent atteindre cet objectif.

J’ai l’honneur de collaborer étroitement avec le Président Lula, dont le pays préside le G20 et accueillera la COP 30, afin de garantir le plus haut degré d’ambition possible, d’accélérer le rythme des progrès et de favoriser la coopération.

Nous venons de nous rencontrer pour discuter de cela.

Les financements sont d’une importance cruciale.

La COP29 arrive à grands pas.

Elle doit être l’occasion de fixer un nouvel objectif ambitieux en matière de financement.

Il faut également que le fonds pour les pertes et les préjudices soit à la hauteur de l’enjeu et que les pays développés tiennent leurs promesses en matière de financement de l’adaptation.

Et l’heure est venue de faire bouger les lignes face à une situation insensée.

Nous continuons de récompenser les pollueurs qui détruisent notre planète.

Le secteur des combustibles fossiles continue d’engranger des profits et des subventions considérables, mais ce sont les populations qui supportent les coûts de la catastrophe climatique, depuis la hausse des primes d’assurance jusqu’à la perte de leurs moyens de subsistance.

Je demande aux pays du G20 de mettre fin aux subventions et aux investissements liés aux combustibles fossiles et de financer à la place une transition énergétique juste,

De mettre un prix au carbone.

Et d’adopter des sources de financement nouvelles et novatrices – notamment en instaurant une redevance internationale de solidarité sur l’extraction des combustibles fossiles, au moyen de mécanismes juridiquement contraignants et transparents.

Et ce, d’ici à l’année prochaine.

Et ce en tenant compte du fait que pour les responsables, l’heure des comptes a sonné.

Les pollueurs doivent payer.

Excellences,

L’essor rapide des nouvelles technologies est une autre menace existentielle dont les conséquences sont imprévisibles.

L’intelligence artificielle transformera notre monde du tout au tout : le travail, mais aussi l’éducation, la communication, la culture ou encore la politique.

Nous savons que l’intelligence artificielle progresse rapidement, mais où nous mène-t-elle ?

Vers plus de liberté ou plus de conflits ?

Vers un monde plus durable ou de plus grandes inégalités ?

Serons-nous mieux informés ou plus faciles à manipuler ?

Une poignée d’entreprises et même de particuliers ont déjà acquis un pouvoir immense grâce au développement de l’intelligence artificielle, sans, pour le moment, avoir véritablement à rendre des comptes et sans grand contrôle.

Faute de mesures mondiales pour en gérer le déploiement, l’intelligence artificielle risque d’engendrer des divisions artificielles dans tous les domaines, de donner lieu à une grande fracture entre deux internets, deux marchés et deux économies et, ainsi, de faire naître une situation où chaque pays serait contraint de choisir un camp, ce qui serait lourd de conséquences pour l’humanité tout entière.

L’ONU est une instance universelle de dialogue et de consensus.

Elle est particulièrement bien placée pour promouvoir la coopération en ce qui concerne l’intelligence artificielle, sur la base des valeurs de la Charte et du droit international.

C’est dans cette enceinte, et nulle part ailleurs, que les membres de la communauté internationale débattent.

Je salue les premières mesures importantes qui ont été prises.

Deux résolutions de l’Assemblée générale, le Pacte numérique mondial et les recommandations de l’Organe consultatif de haut niveau sur l’intelligence artificielle, peuvent asseoir les bases d’une gouvernance inclusive de l’intelligence artificielle.

Ensemble, faisons de l’intelligence artificielle une force au service du bien.

Excellences,

Rien n’est éternel.

Mais l’humanité a ceci de particulier qu’elle croit le contraire.

L’ordre en place a toujours l’air d’être indémontable.

Jusqu’au jour où tout bascule.

L’histoire de l’humanité a été marquée par l’essor et la chute d’empires, l’effondrement de vieilles certitudes et de véritables séismes sur le théâtre du monde.

Aujourd’hui, nous allons droit dans le mur.

Il est dans notre intérêt à toutes et à tous de gérer les transformations colossales qui sont en cours, de déterminer l’avenir que nous voulons et de faciliter son avènement dans le monde.

Beaucoup pensent que les divisions et les divergences d’aujourd’hui sont insurmontables,

Que nous ne parviendrons pas à nous rassembler pour le bien commun.

Vous avez prouvé que ce n’était pas le cas.

Le Sommet de l’avenir a montré que nous pouvons unir nos forces dans un esprit de dialogue et de compromis pour engager le monde sur une voie plus durable.

Ce n’est pas une fin.

Ce n’est que le début, une boussole dans la tempête.

Il faut continuer sur cette lancée.

Ne ménageons pas nos efforts : pour lutter contre l’impunité et renforcer le respect du principe de responsabilité… pour moins d’inégalités et plus de justice… pour échapper à l’incertitude et élargir le champ des possibles.

Les populations du monde entier comptent sur nous, et les générations futures nous jugeront à l’aune de ce que nous aurons accompli.

Nous devons ne pas les décevoir. Nous devons être à la hauteur de la Charte des Nations Unies… de nos valeurs et principes communs… et du bon côté de l’histoire.

Et je vous remercie.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening of the General Debate of the Seventy-ninth Session of the General Assembly [as delivered]

Source: United Nations – English

r. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our world is in a whirlwind.

We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.

Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.

Wars rage with no clue how they will end.

And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.

We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.

Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.

I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.

First, the state of our world is unsustainable.

We can’t go on like this.

And second, the challenges we face are solvable.

But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.

The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.

Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.

A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.

A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.

And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.

These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.

Excellencies,

The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.

Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.

They can trample international law.

They can violate the United Nations Charter.

They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.

They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.

They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.

And nothing will happen.

We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.

The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.

Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.

It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.

Look no further than Lebanon.

We should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

Let’s be clear.

Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.

And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.

More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.

And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.

I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.

The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.

For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:

What is the alternative?

How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?

In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.

In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.

From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.

Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.

Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.

For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.

There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.

It can feel as though we don’t have that today.

Nor do we have a unipolar world.

We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.

We are in a purgatory of polarity.

And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.

That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.

Anywhere and everywhere.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.

L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.

Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.

Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.

Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.

Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.

Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.

Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.

Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.

Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.

Excellences,

La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.

Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.

Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.

Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.

Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifesteet je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.

Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.

C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.

C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies,objectif qui est déjà complété.

C’est faisable.

J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.

Excellences,

Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.

Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.

À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.

Un changement s’impose.

Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.

Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.

Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.

Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.

Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.

Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.

Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.
Excelencias,

Volver al camino correcto requiere un aumento de financiamiento para la Agenda 2030 y el Acuerdo de París.

Esto implica que los países del G20 lideren un Estímulo para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de 500.000 millones de dólares al año.

Implica reformas para aumentar sustancialmente la capacidad de préstamo de los Bancos Multilaterales de Desarrollo – y permitirles ampliar masivamente la financiación asequible a largo plazo para el clima y el desarrollo.

Implica ampliar la financiación de contingencia mediante el reciclaje de los Derechos Especiales de Giro.

E implica promover una reestructuración de la deuda a largo plazo.

Excelencias,

No me hago ilusiones sobre las barreras a la reforma del sistema multilateral.

Los que tienen poder político y económico, o y los que creen tenerlo, son siempre reacios al cambio.

Pero el status quo ya está agotando su poder.

Sin reformas, la fragmentación es inevitable, y las instituciones globales perderán legitimidad, credibilidad y eficacia.

Excellencies,

The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.

The ground is shifting under our feet.

Anxiety levels are off the charts.

And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.

Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.

Excellencies,

We are in a climate meltdown.

Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.

They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.

No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.

Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.

And this is just the start.

We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.

But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.

Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.

Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.

But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.

Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.

Excellencies,

A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.

That is in your hands.

By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.

These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.

They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.

An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.

By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.

The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.

They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.

But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.

I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.

Finance is essential.

COP29 is around the corner.

It must deliver a significant new finance goal.

We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.

And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:

We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.

The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.

I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;

To put an effective price on carbon;

And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.

All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.

Polluters must pay.

Excellencies,

The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.

Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.

We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:

To more freedom – or more conflict?

To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?

To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?

A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.

Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.

The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.

It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.

The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.

I welcome important first steps.

Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.

Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.

Excellencies,

Nothing lasts forever.

But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.

The current order always feels fixed.

Until it is not.

Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.

Today our course is unsustainable.

It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.

Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.

That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.

You proved that is not true.

The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.

It is not the end.

It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.

Let’s keep going.

Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.

The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.

Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.

I thank you.

MIL OSI Africa –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening of the General Debate of the Seventy-ninth Session of the General Assembly [trilingual, as delivered, scroll down for all-English and all-French]

Source: United Nations – English

r. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our world is in a whirlwind.

We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.

Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.

Wars rage with no clue how they will end.

And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.

We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.

Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.

I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.

First, the state of our world is unsustainable.

We can’t go on like this.

And second, the challenges we face are solvable.

But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.

The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.

Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.

A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.

A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.

And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.

These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.

Excellencies,

The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.

Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.

They can trample international law.

They can violate the United Nations Charter.

They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.

They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.

They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.

And nothing will happen.

We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.

The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.

Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.

It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.

Look no further than Lebanon.

We should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

Let’s be clear.

Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.

And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.

More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.

And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.

I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.

The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.

For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:

What is the alternative?

How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?

In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.

In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.

From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.

Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.

Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.

For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.

There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.

It can feel as though we don’t have that today.

Nor do we have a unipolar world.

We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.

We are in a purgatory of polarity.

And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.

That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.

Anywhere and everywhere.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.

L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.

Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.

Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.

Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.

Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.

Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.

Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.

Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.

Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.

Excellences,

La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.

Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.

Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.

Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.

Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifesteet je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.

Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.

C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.

C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies,objectif qui est déjà complété.

C’est faisable.

J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.

Excellences,

Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.

Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.

À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.

Un changement s’impose.

Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.

Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.

Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.

Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.

Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.

Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.

Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.

Excelencias,

Volver al camino correcto requiere un aumento de financiamiento para la Agenda 2030 y el Acuerdo de París.

Esto implica que los países del G20 lideren un Estímulo para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de 500.000 millones de dólares al año.

Implica reformas para aumentar sustancialmente la capacidad de préstamo de los Bancos Multilaterales de Desarrollo – y permitirles ampliar masivamente la financiación asequible a largo plazo para el clima y el desarrollo.

Implica ampliar la financiación de contingencia mediante el reciclaje de los Derechos Especiales de Giro.

E implica promover una reestructuración de la deuda a largo plazo.

Excelencias,

No me hago ilusiones sobre las barreras a la reforma del sistema multilateral.

Los que tienen poder político y económico, o y los que creen tenerlo, son siempre reacios al cambio.

Pero el status quo ya está agotando su poder.

Sin reformas, la fragmentación es inevitable, y las instituciones globales perderán legitimidad, credibilidad y eficacia.

Excellencies,

The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.

The ground is shifting under our feet.

Anxiety levels are off the charts.

And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.

Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.

Excellencies,

We are in a climate meltdown.

Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.

They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.

No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.

Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.

And this is just the start.

We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.

But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.

Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.

Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.

But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.

Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.

Excellencies,

A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.

That is in your hands.

By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.

These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.

They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.

An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.

By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.

The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.

They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.

But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.

I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.

Finance is essential.

COP29 is around the corner.

It must deliver a significant new finance goal.

We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.

And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:

We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.

The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.

I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;

To put an effective price on carbon;

And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.

All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.

Polluters must pay.

Excellencies,

The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.

Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.

We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:

To more freedom – or more conflict?

To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?

To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?

A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.

Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.

The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.

It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.

The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.

I welcome important first steps.

Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.

Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.

Excellencies,

Nothing lasts forever.

But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.

The current order always feels fixed.

Until it is not.

Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.

Today our course is unsustainable.

It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.

Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.

That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.

You proved that is not true.

The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.

It is not the end.

It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.

Let’s keep going.

Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.

The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.

Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.

I thank you.

***
[all-English]

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our world is in a whirlwind.

We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.

Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.

Wars rage with no clue how they will end.

And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.

We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.

Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.

I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.

First, the state of our world is unsustainable.

We can’t go on like this.

And second, the challenges we face are solvable.

But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.

The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.

Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.

A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.

A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.

And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.

These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.

Excellencies,

The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.

Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.

They can trample international law.

They can violate the United Nations Charter.

They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.

They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.

They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.

And nothing will happen.

We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.

The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.

Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.

It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.

Look no further than Lebanon.

We should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

Let’s be clear.

Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.

And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.

More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.

And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.

I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.

The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.

For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:

What is the alternative?

How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?

In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.

In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.

From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.

Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.

Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.

For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.

There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.

It can feel as though we don’t have that today.

Nor do we have a unipolar world.

We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.

We are in a purgatory of polarity.

And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.

That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.

Anywhere and everywhere.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Rising inequalities are a second driver of unsustainability and a stain on our collective conscience.

Inequality is not a technical or bureaucratic issue.

At its heart, inequality is a question of power with historic roots.

Conflict, climate upheaval and the cost-of-living crisis, are pushing those roots deeper.

At the same time, the world has not recovered from the surge in inequalities caused by the pandemic.

Of the world’s poorest 75 countries, one-third are worse off today than they were five years ago.

During that same period, the five richest men in the world have more than doubled their wealth.

And the top one per cent of people on earth own 43 per cent of all global financial assets.

At the national level, some governments are supercharging inequalities by doling out massive tax giveaways to corporations and the ultra-rich, while shortchanging investments in health, education and social protection.

No one is being short-changed more than the world’s women and girls.

Excellencies,

Rampant gender-based discrimination and abuse are the most prevalent inequality across all societies.

Every day, it seems we are confronted by yet more sickening cases of femicide, gender-based violence and mass rape, both in peacetime and as a weapon of war.

In some countries, laws are being used to threaten reproductive health and rights.

And in Afghanistan, laws are being used to lock-in the systematic oppression of women and girls.

And I am sorry to observe that despite years of talk, gender inequality is on full display, and I am sorry for mentioning it here, gender inequality is on full display in this very Hall.

Less than 10 per cent of speakers during this week’s General Debate are women.

This is unacceptable – especially when we know gender equality delivers for peace, sustainable development, climate action and much more.

That is precisely why we took targeted measures to achieve gender parity among the United Nations senior leadership, an objective that has already been achieved.

It’s doable.

I call on male-dominated political and economic establishments around the world to do it as well.

Excellencies,

Global inequalities are reflected and reinforced even in our own global institutions.

The United Nations Security Council was designed by the victors of the Second World War.

Most of Africa was still under colonial domination.

To this day, Africa has no permanent seat on the world’s preeminent council of peace.

This must change.

So must the global financial architecture, set up 80 years ago.

I commend the leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for taking important steps.

But as the Pact for the Future emphasizes, tackling inequalities requires accelerating reform of the international financial architecture.

Over the past eight decades, the global economy has grown and transformed.

The Bretton Woods institutions have not kept pace.

They can no longer provide a global safety net – or offer developing countries the level of support they need.

Debt interest payments in the world’s poorest countries now cost more, on average, than investments in education, health and infrastructure combined.

And around the world, more than 80 per cent of Sustainable Development Goal targets are off track.

Excellencies,

Getting back on track requires a surge of financing for the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

That means G20 countries leading on an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion a year.

It means reforms to substantially increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks and enable them to massively scale-up affordable long-term climate and development finance.

It means expanding contingency financing through recycling Special Drawing Rights.

And it means promoting long-term debt-restructuring.

Excellencies,

I have no illusions about the obstacles to reform of the multilateral system.

Those with political and economic power – and those who believe they have power – are always reluctant to change.

But the status quo is already draining their power.

Without reform, fragmentation is inevitable, and global institutions will become less legitimate, less credible, and less effective.

Excellencies,

The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.

The ground is shifting under our feet.

Anxiety levels are off the charts.

And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.

Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.

Excellencies,

We are in a climate meltdown.

Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.

They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.

No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.

Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.

And this is just the start.

We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.

But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.

Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.

Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.

But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.

Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.

Excellencies,

A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.

That is in your hands.

By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.

These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.

They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.

An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.

By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.

The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.

They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.

But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.

I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.

Finance is essential.

COP29 is around the corner.

It must deliver a significant new finance goal.

We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.

And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:

We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.

The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.

I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;

To put an effective price on carbon;

And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.

All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.

Polluters must pay.

Excellencies,

The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.

Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.

We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:

To more freedom – or more conflict?

To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?

To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?

A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.

Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.

The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.

It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.

The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.

I welcome important first steps.

Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.

Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.

Excellencies,

Nothing lasts forever.

But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.

The current order always feels fixed.

Until it is not.

Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.

Today our course is unsustainable.

It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.

Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.

That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.

You proved that is not true.

The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.

It is not the end.

It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.

Let’s keep going.

Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.

The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.

Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.

I thank you.

***
[all-French]

Monsieur le Président,

Excellences,

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Notre monde est pris dans un tourbillon.

Nous vivons une ère de transformation aux proportions épiques et faisons face à des défis sans précédent qui exigent des solutions mondiales.

Et pourtant, les divisions géopolitiques ne vont qu’en s’aggravant. La planète continue de se réchauffer.

Les guerres font rage sans que l’on sache comment elles vont se terminer.

Les gesticulations nucléaires et les nouvelles armes font planer sur nous une ombre inquiétante.

Nous allons tout droit vers l’inimaginable : une poudrière qui risque d’engloutir le monde.

En 2024, la moitié de l’humanité doit se rendre aux urnes – et c’est sur l’humanité tout entière que pèsera l’issue de ces scrutins.

Je me tiens devant vous, face à ce tourbillon, convaincu de deux vérités primordiales.

Tout d’abord, l’état dans lequel se trouve notre monde n’est pas viable.

On ne peut pas continuer ainsi.

Et deuxièmement, il est possible de relever les défis auxquels nous sommes confrontés.

Mais pour cela, nous devons nous assurer que les mécanismes de règlement des problèmes internationaux permettent bel et bien de régler les problèmes.

Le Sommet de l’avenir était un premier pas, mais le chemin à parcourir est encore long.

Pour y parvenir, il faut s’attaquer à trois grands facteurs de l’insoutenabilité.

Un monde d’impunité – dans lequel les violations et les atteintes menacent le fondement même du droit international et de la Charte des Nations Unies.

Un monde d’inégalités – où les injustices et les griefs auxquelles elles donnent jour menacent d’affaiblir les pays, ou pire, de les précipiter dans le gouffre.

Et un monde d’incertitude – où les risques mondiaux ne sont pas gérés, ce qui hypothèque notre avenir, bien au-delà de ce que l’on peut imaginer.

Ces mondes d’impunité, d’inégalité et d’incertitude sont liés entre eux et se télescopent.

Excellences,

Le degré d’impunité dans le monde est indéfendable sur le plan politique et moralement intolérable.

Aujourd’hui, un nombre croissant de gouvernements et d’autres acteurs se sentent autorisés à bénéficier, comme au Monopoly, d’une carte « Vous êtes libéré de prison ».

Ils peuvent fouler aux pieds le droit international.

Ils peuvent violer la Charte des Nations Unies.

Ils peuvent ignorer les conventions internationales relatives aux droits humains ou les décisions des tribunaux internationaux.

Ils peuvent bafouer le droit international humanitaire.

Ils peuvent envahir un autre pays, dévaster des sociétés entières ou mépriser complètement le bien-être de leur propre peuple.

Sans que rien ne se passe.

Partout ‒ au Moyen-Orient, au cœur de l’Europe, dans la Corne de l’Afrique et au-delà ‒ c’est l’ère de l’impunité.

La guerre en Ukraine s’étend et rien n’indique qu’elle va s’arrêter.

Ce sont les populations civiles qui en paient le prix. À preuve, les morts de plus en plus nombreuses, les vies et les communautés brisées.

Il est temps d’instaurer une paix juste, fondée sur la Charte des Nations Unies, le droit international et les résolutions des organes des Nations Unies.

Pendant ce temps, Gaza vit un cauchemar permanent qui menace d’entraîner toute la région dans le chaos.

À commencer par le Liban.

Nous devrions tous être alarmés par cette escalade.

Le Liban est au bord du gouffre.

Le peuple libanais, le peuple israélien et les peuples du monde ne peuvent se permettre que le Liban devienne un autre Gaza.

Soyons clairs.

Rien ne peut justifier les actes de terreur abominables commis par le Hamas le 7 octobre, ni les prises d’otages, que j’ai condamnés à maintes reprises.

Mais rien ne peut justifier d’infliger un châtiment collectif au peuple palestinien.

La rapidité et l’ampleur du massacre et des destructions à Gaza ne ressemblent à rien d’autre de ce que j’ai connu depuis que je suis Secrétaire général.

Plus de 200 membres du personnel des Nations Unies ont déjà été tués et, souvent, des membres de leurs familles ont aussi péri à leurs côtés.

Et pourtant, les femmes et les hommes des Nations Unies continuent d’accomplir leur mission.

Je sais que vous vous joignez à moi pour rendre un hommage appuyé à l’UNRWA et à tous les humanitaires à Gaza.

La communauté internationale doit se mobiliser pour obtenir un cessez-le-feu immédiat, la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle des tous les otages et le lancement d’un processus irréversible pour qu’une solution des deux États voie le jour.

J’aimerais poser une question à ceux qui continuent de saper cet objectif en multipliant les implantations, les expulsions, les provocations:
Quelle est l’alternative ?

Comment le monde pourrait-il accepter un État qui inclurait un grand nombre de Palestiniens et de Palestiniennes privés de liberté, de droits et de dignité ?

Au Soudan, une lutte brutale pour le pouvoir a donné lieu à d’horribles violences, notamment des viols et des agressions sexuelles à grande échelle.

Une catastrophe humanitaire est en train de se produire dans un pays en proie à une famine rampante. Pourtant, les puissances extérieures continuent de s’ingérer sans aucune approche unifiée pour trouver la paix.

Au Sahel, l’expansion dramatique et rapide de la menace terroriste exige l’adoption d’une approche commune fondée sur la solidarité, mais la coopération régionale et internationale est en panne.

Du Myanmar à la République démocratique du Congo, en passant par Haïti et le Yémen, les populations restent exposées à des violences et des souffrances effroyables, sur fond d’incapacité chronique à trouver des solutions.

Pendant ce temps, nos missions de maintien de la paix opèrent trop souvent dans des lieux où il n’y a tout simplement pas de paix à maintenir.

L’instabilité que l’on observe en de nombreux endroits du monde est la conséquence de l’instabilité des relations de pouvoir et des clivages géopolitiques.

La Guerre Froide était pleine de dangers, mais elle avait aussi ses règles.

Il y avait le téléphone rouge, des limites à ne pas franchir et des garde-fous.

On a parfois l’impression que l’on n’a rien de tout cela aujourd’hui.

Nous ne vivons pas non plus dans un monde unipolaire.

Nous sommes en train de passer à un monde multipolaire, mais nous n’y sommes pas encore.

Nous sommes en fait dans le purgatoire de la polarité.

Et dans ce purgatoire, de plus en plus de pays occupent les espaces laissés vides par les divisions géopolitiques et font ce qu’ils veulent sans avoir à rendre de comptes.

C’est pourquoi il est plus important que jamais de réaffirmer la Charte, d’appuyer et de respecter le droit international et de renforcer les droits humains à travers le monde.

Partout et en tout lieu.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.

L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.

Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.

Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.

Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.

Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.

Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.

Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.

Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.

Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.

Excellences,

La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.

Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.

Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.

Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.

Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifeste, et je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.

Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.

C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.

C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, objectif qui est déjà complété.

C’est faisable.

J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.

Excellences,

Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.

Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.

À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.

Un changement s’impose.

Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.

Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.

Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.

Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.

Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.

Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.

Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.

Excellences,

Pour que l’on puisse redresser le cap, les financements mobilisés pour le Programme 2030 et l’Accord de Paris doivent connaître un véritable bond.

Cela implique que les pays du G20 montrent l’exemple sur le Plan de relance des Objectifs de développement durable, de 500 milliards de dollars par an.

Cela implique également d’engager des réformes pour renforcer considérablement la capacité de prêt des Banques multilatérales de développement, afin qu’elles puissent proposer bien davantage de financements abordables et à long terme pour l’action climatique et le développement.

Cela implique de débloquer plus largement des financements pour imprévus, à travers le recyclage des droits de tirage spéciaux.

Et cela implique de promouvoir une restructuration de la dette à long terme.

Excellences,

Je ne me fais guère d’illusions sur les obstacles que nous rencontrerons dans le cadre de la réforme du système multilatéral.

Ceux qui détiennent le pouvoir politique et économique – et ceux qui croient le détenir – ont toujours une aversion au changement.

Pourtant, le statu quo ébranle déjà leur pouvoir.

Sans réforme, la fragmentation est inévitable, condamnant les institutions mondiales à perdre en légitimité, en crédibilité et en efficacité.

Excellences,

Le troisième facteur de l’insoutenabilité de notre monde est l’incertitude.

Le sol se dérobe sous nos pieds.

L’anxiété est à son comble.

Les jeunes, en particulier, comptent sur nous et recherchent des solutions.

L’incertitude est aggravée par deux menaces existentielles : la crise climatique et les bouleversements technologiques rapides, notamment l’intelligence artificielle.

Excellences,

Nous assistons à un véritable effondrement du climat.

Les températures extrêmes, les incendies violents, les sécheresses et les inondations catastrophiques ne sont pas des catastrophes naturelles.

Ce sont des catastrophes humaines, dont les combustibles fossiles précipitent l’enchaînement.

Aucun pays n’est épargné. Mais ce sont les pays les plus pauvres et les plus vulnérables qui paient le prix fort.

Les calamités climatiques obèrent les budgets de nombreux pays d’Afrique et leur coûtent jusqu’à 5 % de leur PIB – chaque année.

Et ce n’est que le début.

La température mondiale est sur le point de dépasser la limite de 1,5 degré.

Mais si le problème s’aggrave, les solutions que l’on y apporte deviennent plus efficaces.

Prenons l’exemple des énergies renouvelables : leur prix diminue fortement, leur déploiement s’accélère et des populations voient leur quotidien transformé par une énergie propre, accessible et d’un coût abordable.

Les énergies renouvelables ne servent pas qu’à produire de l’électricité. Elles créent aussi des emplois et de la richesse, sont gages de sécurité énergétique et permettent à des millions de personnes de sortir de la pauvreté.

Mais cela ne doit pas passer par le pillage des pays en développement.

Notre Groupe chargé de la question des minéraux essentiels a recommandé que des mesures équitables et durables soient prises pour répondre à la demande mondiale dans ces ressources, indispensables à la révolution des énergies renouvelables.

Excellences,

Il est certain qu’un monde sans combustibles fossiles verra le jour. En revanche, rien ne dit que la transition sera rapide ou équitable.

Cela dépend de vous.

D’ici à l’an prochain, tous les pays devront élaborer de nouveaux plans d’action nationaux pour le climat ambitieux – ou déterminer leurs contributions au niveau national.

Ils devront faire converger leurs stratégies énergétiques nationales, leurs priorités en matière de développement durable et les ambitions climatiques.

Ils devront ne pas dépasser la limite de 1,5 degré, couvrir l’ensemble de l’économie et concourir à la réalisation de tous les objectifs de transition énergétique convenus lors de la COP28.

Dans le rapport qu’elle a publié aujourd’hui, l’Agence internationale de l’énergie chiffre le niveau d’ambition à atteindre.

D’ici à 2035, en moyenne, les émissions de gaz à effet de serre doivent diminuer de 80 % dans les économies avancées, de 65 % dans les marchés émergents.

Les pays du G20 sont responsables au total de 80 % des émissions.

Ils doivent mener la charge, en respectant le principe des responsabilités communes mais différenciées et en tenant compte des capacités de chacun, en fonction des différents contextes nationaux.

Mais cette action doit s’inscrire dans une démarche collective et suppose la mise en commun des ressources, des capacités scientifiques et de technologies abordables à l’efficacité avérée pour que tous puissent atteindre cet objectif.

J’ai l’honneur de collaborer étroitement avec le Président Lula, dont le pays préside le G20 et accueillera la COP 30, afin de garantir le plus haut degré d’ambition possible, d’accélérer le rythme des progrès et de favoriser la coopération.

Nous venons de nous rencontrer pour discuter de cela.

Les financements sont d’une importance cruciale.

La COP29 arrive à grands pas.

Elle doit être l’occasion de fixer un nouvel objectif ambitieux en matière de financement.

Il faut également que le fonds pour les pertes et les préjudices soit à la hauteur de l’enjeu et que les pays développés tiennent leurs promesses en matière de financement de l’adaptation.

Et l’heure est venue de faire bouger les lignes face à une situation insensée.

Nous continuons de récompenser les pollueurs qui détruisent notre planète.

Le secteur des combustibles fossiles continue d’engranger des profits et des subventions considérables, mais ce sont les populations qui supportent les coûts de la catastrophe climatique, depuis la hausse des primes d’assurance jusqu’à la perte de leurs moyens de subsistance.

Je demande aux pays du G20 de mettre fin aux subventions et aux investissements liés aux combustibles fossiles et de financer à la place une transition énergétique juste,

De mettre un prix au carbone.

Et d’adopter des sources de financement nouvelles et novatrices – notamment en instaurant une redevance internationale de solidarité sur l’extraction des combustibles fossiles, au moyen de mécanismes juridiquement contraignants et transparents.

Et ce, d’ici à l’année prochaine.

Et ce en tenant compte du fait que pour les responsables, l’heure des comptes a sonné.

Les pollueurs doivent payer.

Excellences,

L’essor rapide des nouvelles technologies est une autre menace existentielle dont les conséquences sont imprévisibles.

L’intelligence artificielle transformera notre monde du tout au tout : le travail, mais aussi l’éducation, la communication, la culture ou encore la politique.

Nous savons que l’intelligence artificielle progresse rapidement, mais où nous mène-t-elle ?

Vers plus de liberté ou plus de conflits ?

Vers un monde plus durable ou de plus grandes inégalités ?

Serons-nous mieux informés ou plus faciles à manipuler ?

Une poignée d’entreprises et même de particuliers ont déjà acquis un pouvoir immense grâce au développement de l’intelligence artificielle, sans, pour le moment, avoir véritablement à rendre des comptes et sans grand contrôle.

Faute de mesures mondiales pour en gérer le déploiement, l’intelligence artificielle risque d’engendrer des divisions artificielles dans tous les domaines, de donner lieu à une grande fracture entre deux internets, deux marchés et deux économies et, ainsi, de faire naître une situation où chaque pays serait contraint de choisir un camp, ce qui serait lourd de conséquences pour l’humanité tout entière.

L’ONU est une instance universelle de dialogue et de consensus.

Elle est particulièrement bien placée pour promouvoir la coopération en ce qui concerne l’intelligence artificielle, sur la base des valeurs de la Charte et du droit international.

C’est dans cette enceinte, et nulle part ailleurs, que les membres de la communauté internationale débattent.

Je salue les premières mesures importantes qui ont été prises.

Deux résolutions de l’Assemblée générale, le Pacte numérique mondial et les recommandations de l’Organe consultatif de haut niveau sur l’intelligence artificielle, peuvent asseoir les bases d’une gouvernance inclusive de l’intelligence artificielle.

Ensemble, faisons de l’intelligence artificielle une force au service du bien.

Excellences,

Rien n’est éternel.

Mais l’humanité a ceci de particulier qu’elle croit le contraire.

L’ordre en place a toujours l’air d’être indémontable.

Jusqu’au jour où tout bascule.

L’histoire de l’humanité a été marquée par l’essor et la chute d’empires, l’effondrement de vieilles certitudes et de véritables séismes sur le théâtre du monde.

Aujourd’hui, nous allons droit dans le mur.

Il est dans notre intérêt à toutes et à tous de gérer les transformations colossales qui sont en cours, de déterminer l’avenir que nous voulons et de faciliter son avènement dans le monde.

Beaucoup pensent que les divisions et les divergences d’aujourd’hui sont insurmontables,

Que nous ne parviendrons pas à nous rassembler pour le bien commun.

Vous avez prouvé que ce n’était pas le cas.

Le Sommet de l’avenir a montré que nous pouvons unir nos forces dans un esprit de dialogue et de compromis pour engager le monde sur une voie plus durable.

Ce n’est pas une fin.

Ce n’est que le début, une boussole dans la tempête.

Il faut continuer sur cette lancée.

Ne ménageons pas nos efforts : pour lutter contre l’impunité et renforcer le respect du principe de responsabilité… pour moins d’inégalités et plus de justice… pour échapper à l’incertitude et élargir le champ des possibles.

Les populations du monde entier comptent sur nous, et les générations futures nous jugeront à l’aune de ce que nous aurons accompli.

Nous devons ne pas les décevoir. Nous devons être à la hauteur de la Charte des Nations Unies… de nos valeurs et principes communs… et du bon côté de l’histoire.

Et je vous remercie.

MIL OSI Africa –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: The IAEA’s Vital Support of Development and International Security

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

(As prepared for delivery)

President, Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

“The best way to predict the future is to build it.” It is a truth worth remembering, especially when political division, climate change, war, hunger, and disease seem to overshadow our effort.

We have the tools to deal with these challenges. We have the knowledge, the technology, the financial means, the diplomacy and the robust international institutions.

The IAEA serves its 180 Member States with the lifesaving and lifeaffirming tools of nuclear science and technology. These contribute directly to the SDGs.

Health comes first. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 we jumped into action, harnessing our equipment and knowledge for quick and reliable testing against COVID with the portable RT-PCR machines, or “labs in a suitcase”.

We launched what would become the largest emergency operation in the history of IAEA to nearly 130 States. In so doing, we reached tens of millions of people. For some countries these kits were the first, and sometimes the only equipment they had to conduct reliable testing against COVID-19.

Drawing on this and earlier experiencessupporting the fight against Ebola, avian influenza and Zika, we launched – in that same year – the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC). Under ZODIAC we have trained people from more than 95 countries in dealing with zoonotic diseases. Laboratories in developing countries have received equipment for 3 serology and molecular diagnostic or genetic sequencing. Many of these labs are now being used to combat Mpox.

The IAEA has more than 6 decades of experience in radiotherapy and medical imaging. But today the cancer crisis is hitting low and middleincome countries particularly hard and I am determined to make a greater impact in partnership with our Member States. That is why we launched Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All at the African Union Summit in February 2022, with firm support from the World Health Organization (WHO). Africa is where the cancer care gap is the starkest: more than 20 African nations lack even a single radiotherapy machine. So far, 86 countries have reached out to the IAEA for support under Rays of Hope and concrete actions have been initiated in more than 30 States.

Under our new initiative, NUTEC: NUclear TEchnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution, 86 States around the world are participating in marine microplastic monitoring using nuclear and isotopic tracing techniques. This will help them to put in place better-informed policies that combat the plastic pollution threatening the ocean, its plants and creatures and therefore also the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods. Some 39 States are participating in plastic recycling using radiation technology, four of which are progressing towards establishing pilot-scale plants. This will allow them to reduce plastic waste and advance towards a circular economy. The Global Marine Monitoring Network continues to grow with 99 States now benefiting from capacity building efforts.

Atoms4Food was launched by the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in October 2023. It offers tailor-made approaches in 4 Food and Agriculture, which for years has been the number 1 area of support sought by our Member States. Atoms4Foods supports countries in using innovative nuclear techniques to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, improve nutrition, and adapt to the challenges of climate change. This supports farmers as well as the fight against deadly malnutrition.

There is no development without energy. Nuclear power provides about a quarter of the world’s low-carbon electricity. Much more is needed if we are to meet the climate goals set out on the Paris Agreement. In their historic first Global Stocktake, approved at COP28 in Dubai last year, the signatory countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change called for accelerating the deployment of low-emission energy technologies including nuclear power. The Pact for the Future adopted yesterday, in Action 26 reaffirmed the inalienable right of all countries to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination, in conformity with their respective obligations.

Today, in addition to the 415 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries there are 62 reactors under construction in 15 countries, most of them in Asia. The IAEA is assisting States, many of them developing countries, either with enlarging their civilian nuclear programs, or with safely embarking on them. We are working with industry and regulators on small modular reactors (SMRs) which will make more affordable the price of entry to the nuclear energy club.

The IAEA is also playing an important role in maintenance of 5 international peace and security.

Mandated by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), we conduct nuclear safeguards, making sure the increased amount of nuclear material around the world does not result in the secret proliferation of nuclear weapons. There is material for thousands of nuclear warheads in the world. Thanks to the robust international safeguards regime and our inspection system, who never stopped even during the COVID pandemic, the number of nuclear weapon States around the world is far fewer than had been feared before the IAEA was established and the NPT came into force.

The IAEA assists States in the creation and implementation of nuclearweapon-free zones, which already cover vast regions of the world. These are important steps towards a world without nuclear weapons.

Our work in Iran, Syria, other countries of the Middle East, and on different continents, contributes to international stability through nonproliferation and through the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Since February 2022 a large-scale conventional conflict has raged in a country with a large civilian nuclear program. Ukraine used to generate more than half its electricity from nuclear power plants. From the first months of the war, the IAEA has focused on assisting Ukraine in preventing a radiological or nuclear accident, which could have a serious transborder impact. Today, the IAEA has advisory and assistance missions stationed at all five of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, including Zaporizhzhia, which is located right at the front line. Following months 6 of negotiations and consultations, on 30 May 2023 at the UN Security Council I outlined five concrete principles to help ensure nuclear safety and security at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya NPP. It received strong support from the Members of the Council.

The IAEA continues to monitor the safe discharge of water from the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Station and engages in consultations with neighbouring and coastal countries with strong interest in the process. Our independent analysis and the data we publish relating to the discharge offer facts that dispel misunderstandings and fears about the process.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I firmly believe in supporting the ability of everyone, regardless of gender, to fully benefit and contribute to the IAEA’s work.

Conviction requires action. When I began my tenure as the IAEA’s Director General five years ago, one of my very first actions was to set a goal for gender parity by 2025 and to put in place the policies to achieve a more diverse workforce.

Five years ago, women represented less than 30% of the Agency. Today, they have surpassed 48%.

Mindful of the need to continue helping future generations, I also launched the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) in 2020. It drives diversity as well as scientific and technological innovation by encouraging women to pursue a career in the nuclear field. Since its launch, hundreds of women from over 120 countries have been awarded fellowships with generous stipends. They have studied in more than 70 7 countries and have also benefited from internships in many areas of the field. Our follow-up program, named after the scientist Lise Meitner, empowers early- and mid-career through career-enhancing opportunities like site visits.

The IAEA is a key multilateral player to make the Pact of the Future a reality. Thank you.

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Economics: New York State Joins the Global Offshore Wind Alliance

Source: Global Wind Energy Council – GWEC

Headline: New York State Joins the Global Offshore Wind Alliance

24 September 2024, New York, USA | The State of New York announced its membership of the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) – joining a network of governments, international organizations, and private sector actors committed to expanding offshore wind capacity globally and driving the transition to a clean energy future.

GOWA is a multi-stakeholder alliance that aims to speed up the global deployment of offshore wind power. The alliance was launched at COP27 by Denmark, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). Twenty governments have already joined GOWA. The addition of the State of New York further strengthens the global collaboration between regional and national governments and creates a more unified and coordinated approach to offshore wind development across the globe.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), said: “New York is honored to join the Global Offshore Wind Alliance as we work with other government partners to grow and build-out the offshore wind industry, which is a critical component of the renewable energy infrastructure in New York and worldwide. This collaboration, which spans from sharing lessons and best practices to helping scale up offshore wind projects, will help further advance and sustain this powerhouse industry as we harness its full potential to secure a clean energy future.”

“New York’s decision to join GOWA is a very timely step in uniting global efforts to expand the deployment of offshore wind energy. The commitment of New York not only enhances the alliance but also strengthens the collaboration between regional and national actors, improves energy security and pushes forward toward our shared global climate goals,” said Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Lars Aagaard.

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, welcomed New York State joining GOWA: “Through GOWA, we work closely with governments, industry, and investors to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind projects worldwide. Offshore wind offers a pathway to decarbonize our power systems, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. Our World Energy Transitions Outlook projects that offshore wind capacity must increase sevenfold by 2030 and more than thirtyfold by 2050 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. We need policies that incentivize investment, streamlined permitting processes, and innovative financing solutions.”

As a pioneer in renewable energy, New York has already set ambitious targets under its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, including the deployment of at least 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, a goal of at least 70 percent of New York’s electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2030 and a commitment to 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040. By joining GOWA, New York contributes to the global effort to accelerate renewable energy development, including the push for tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, a key global goal decided at COP28.

The GOWA membership fosters collaboration between regional and national governments, a partnership important for advancing the offshore wind industry. This cooperation enables more efficient offshore wind deployment by combining the innovation and localized expertise of regional governments with the broader policy frameworks and resources provided by national authorities.

“The continuous growth of GOWA’s membership reflects a steadfast commitment to offshore wind as a vital force in achieving net zero, supported by multi-national, national, and sub-national governments. I’m encouraged by the eagerness of key players to join our community, united in addressing the challenges of accelerating offshore wind development. New York’s decision to join GOWA at this critical juncture will bring invaluable expertise from a market that has weathered challenging conditions. I look forward to collaborating with New York and all GOWA members as we chart the global offshore wind pathway toward 2050.” – Amisha Patel, Head of Secretariat (Interim), Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA).

Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC, said: “The growth of the Global Offshore Wind Alliance demonstrates the vital role offshore wind plays in the energy transition and the importance of collaboration to delivering on the world’s renewable energy ambitions. The addition of the State of New York to the Alliance brings another strong voice and invaluable expertise to the group. The US offshore wind industry is a key part of the energy transition’s acceleration this decade, and we look forward to supporting the State of New York’s efforts in making their offshore wind sector an example for the rest of the world to follow”

He also highlighted GWEC’s research findings:

“GWEC’s research suggests the world could deliver GOWA’s target of 380 GW of offshore wind by 2030, but only with the right frameworks in place. The collaborative work of the Alliance is fundamental to establishing and expanding this framework around the world and ensuring offshore wind delivers on its potential as a key tool of the energy transition.”

GOWA’s goal is to significantly increase the global offshore wind capacity, aiming for a total of at least 380 GW by 2030 and at least 70 GW each year from 2030 onwards. This expansion is essential for reaching global climate neutrality by 2050 and limiting global warming to below 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

With New York State as its newest member, GOWA now includes 21 member governments, including the European Commission and three subnational governments, and ten other key stakeholders, including the offshore wind sector, inter-governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

MIL OSI Economics –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Banking: New York State Joins the Global Offshore Wind Alliance

Source: Global Wind Energy Council – GWEC

Headline: New York State Joins the Global Offshore Wind Alliance

24 September 2024, New York, USA | The State of New York announced its membership of the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) – joining a network of governments, international organizations, and private sector actors committed to expanding offshore wind capacity globally and driving the transition to a clean energy future.

GOWA is a multi-stakeholder alliance that aims to speed up the global deployment of offshore wind power. The alliance was launched at COP27 by Denmark, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). Twenty governments have already joined GOWA. The addition of the State of New York further strengthens the global collaboration between regional and national governments and creates a more unified and coordinated approach to offshore wind development across the globe.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), said: “New York is honored to join the Global Offshore Wind Alliance as we work with other government partners to grow and build-out the offshore wind industry, which is a critical component of the renewable energy infrastructure in New York and worldwide. This collaboration, which spans from sharing lessons and best practices to helping scale up offshore wind projects, will help further advance and sustain this powerhouse industry as we harness its full potential to secure a clean energy future.”

“New York’s decision to join GOWA is a very timely step in uniting global efforts to expand the deployment of offshore wind energy. The commitment of New York not only enhances the alliance but also strengthens the collaboration between regional and national actors, improves energy security and pushes forward toward our shared global climate goals,” said Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Lars Aagaard.

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, welcomed New York State joining GOWA: “Through GOWA, we work closely with governments, industry, and investors to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind projects worldwide. Offshore wind offers a pathway to decarbonize our power systems, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. Our World Energy Transitions Outlook projects that offshore wind capacity must increase sevenfold by 2030 and more than thirtyfold by 2050 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. We need policies that incentivize investment, streamlined permitting processes, and innovative financing solutions.”

As a pioneer in renewable energy, New York has already set ambitious targets under its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, including the deployment of at least 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, a goal of at least 70 percent of New York’s electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2030 and a commitment to 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040. By joining GOWA, New York contributes to the global effort to accelerate renewable energy development, including the push for tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, a key global goal decided at COP28.

The GOWA membership fosters collaboration between regional and national governments, a partnership important for advancing the offshore wind industry. This cooperation enables more efficient offshore wind deployment by combining the innovation and localized expertise of regional governments with the broader policy frameworks and resources provided by national authorities.

“The continuous growth of GOWA’s membership reflects a steadfast commitment to offshore wind as a vital force in achieving net zero, supported by multi-national, national, and sub-national governments. I’m encouraged by the eagerness of key players to join our community, united in addressing the challenges of accelerating offshore wind development. New York’s decision to join GOWA at this critical juncture will bring invaluable expertise from a market that has weathered challenging conditions. I look forward to collaborating with New York and all GOWA members as we chart the global offshore wind pathway toward 2050.” – Amisha Patel, Head of Secretariat (Interim), Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA).

Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC, said: “The growth of the Global Offshore Wind Alliance demonstrates the vital role offshore wind plays in the energy transition and the importance of collaboration to delivering on the world’s renewable energy ambitions. The addition of the State of New York to the Alliance brings another strong voice and invaluable expertise to the group. The US offshore wind industry is a key part of the energy transition’s acceleration this decade, and we look forward to supporting the State of New York’s efforts in making their offshore wind sector an example for the rest of the world to follow”

He also highlighted GWEC’s research findings:

“GWEC’s research suggests the world could deliver GOWA’s target of 380 GW of offshore wind by 2030, but only with the right frameworks in place. The collaborative work of the Alliance is fundamental to establishing and expanding this framework around the world and ensuring offshore wind delivers on its potential as a key tool of the energy transition.”

GOWA’s goal is to significantly increase the global offshore wind capacity, aiming for a total of at least 380 GW by 2030 and at least 70 GW each year from 2030 onwards. This expansion is essential for reaching global climate neutrality by 2050 and limiting global warming to below 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

With New York State as its newest member, GOWA now includes 21 member governments, including the European Commission and three subnational governments, and ten other key stakeholders, including the offshore wind sector, inter-governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening of the General Debate of the Seventy-ninth Session of the General Assembly [as delivered]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our world is in a whirlwind.

We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.

Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.

Wars rage with no clue how they will end.

And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.

We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.

Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.

I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.

First, the state of our world is unsustainable.

We can’t go on like this.

And second, the challenges we face are solvable.

But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.

The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.

Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.

A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.

A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.

And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.

These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.

Excellencies,

The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.

Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.

They can trample international law.

They can violate the United Nations Charter.

They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.

They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.

They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.

And nothing will happen.

We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.

The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.

Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.

It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.

Look no further than Lebanon.

We should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

Let’s be clear.

Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.

And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.

More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.

And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.

I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.

The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.

For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:

What is the alternative?

How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?

In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.

In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.

From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.

Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.

Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.

For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.

There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.

It can feel as though we don’t have that today.

Nor do we have a unipolar world.

We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.

We are in a purgatory of polarity.

And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.

That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.

Anywhere and everywhere.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.

L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.

Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.

Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.

Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.

Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.

Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.

Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.

Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.

Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.

Excellences,

La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.

Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.

Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.

Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.

Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifesteet je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.

Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.

C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.

C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies,objectif qui est déjà complété.

C’est faisable.

J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.

Excellences,

Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.

Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.

À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.

Un changement s’impose.

Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.

Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.

Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.

Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.

Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.

Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.

Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.
Excelencias,

Volver al camino correcto requiere un aumento de financiamiento para la Agenda 2030 y el Acuerdo de París.

Esto implica que los países del G20 lideren un Estímulo para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de 500.000 millones de dólares al año.

Implica reformas para aumentar sustancialmente la capacidad de préstamo de los Bancos Multilaterales de Desarrollo – y permitirles ampliar masivamente la financiación asequible a largo plazo para el clima y el desarrollo.

Implica ampliar la financiación de contingencia mediante el reciclaje de los Derechos Especiales de Giro.

E implica promover una reestructuración de la deuda a largo plazo.

Excelencias,

No me hago ilusiones sobre las barreras a la reforma del sistema multilateral.

Los que tienen poder político y económico, o y los que creen tenerlo, son siempre reacios al cambio.

Pero el status quo ya está agotando su poder.

Sin reformas, la fragmentación es inevitable, y las instituciones globales perderán legitimidad, credibilidad y eficacia.

Excellencies,

The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.

The ground is shifting under our feet.

Anxiety levels are off the charts.

And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.

Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.

Excellencies,

We are in a climate meltdown.

Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.

They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.

No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.

Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.

And this is just the start.

We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.

But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.

Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.

Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.

But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.

Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.

Excellencies,

A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.

That is in your hands.

By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.

These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.

They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.

An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.

By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.

The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.

They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.

But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.

I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.

Finance is essential.

COP29 is around the corner.

It must deliver a significant new finance goal.

We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.

And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:

We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.

The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.

I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;

To put an effective price on carbon;

And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.

All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.

Polluters must pay.

Excellencies,

The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.

Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.

We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:

To more freedom – or more conflict?

To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?

To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?

A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.

Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.

The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.

It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.

The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.

I welcome important first steps.

Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.

Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.

Excellencies,

Nothing lasts forever.

But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.

The current order always feels fixed.

Until it is not.

Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.

Today our course is unsustainable.

It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.

Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.

That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.

You proved that is not true.

The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.

It is not the end.

It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.

Let’s keep going.

Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.

The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.

Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.

I thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Europe: Banks and financial institutions express support for expanding global production of fossil-free electricity from nuclear energy by 2050

Source: Government of Sweden

Banks and financial institutions express support for expanding global production of fossil-free electricity from nuclear energy by 2050 – Government.se

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Press release from Ministry of Climate and Enterprise

Published 24 September 2024

Yesterday, 23 September, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch took part in a meeting between ministers and other high representatives of countries that backed a COP28 declaration on the need to triple production of nuclear energy by 2050. In conjunction with the meeting, global banks and financial institutions backed the countries’ ambition to increase production of electricity from nuclear energy.

During the meeting, discussions touched on how to proceed from the declaration and how the countries could jointly realise this collaboration. Representatives of global banks and financial institutions took part in discussions on how to finance large-scale expansion.

“One of the greatest obstacles to the necessary expansion of nuclear energy is to secure financing. Governments, financial institutions and industry have critical roles to play in this endeavour. I am delighted by this decision, which attests to the shared view of nuclear energy’s importance among both governments and the financial sector,” says Ms Busch.

Countries that support the declaration

Sweden, Armenia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, France, Ghana, Hungary, Jamaica, Japan, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Background

Interest for new nuclear energy is growing rapidly in many countries, including here in the EU. This applies both to countries that already have nuclear energy and those who had previously held a neutral or sceptical view of the technology. More and more countries are realising that everyone needs to secure fossil-free energy – both renewable and nuclear – to succeed in the green transition, strengthen competitiveness and achieve the climate goals. Major energy price increases following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have also illustrated the importance of democratic countries not being reliant on dictatorships.

Press contact

MIL OSI Europe News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 57: UK Statement on impact of climate change
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

UK Statement for the Interactive dialogue on the Secretary General’s analytical study on the impact of climate change on human rights. Delivered at the 57th HRC in Geneva.
The UK takes note of the Secretary General’s report and recognises that the impacts of climate change can lead to loss and damage.

In many cases, those disproportionately impacted by climate change are women and girls, indigenous peoples, those with disabilities and those in vulnerable and marginalised situations.

It is clear that more needs to be done at a global, regional and local level to help avert, minimise and address loss and damage.

The UK welcomes the agreement made at COP28 on the operationalisation of funding arrangements, including a fund that responds to loss and damage and assists those countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

The UK is using its seat on the Fund’s Board to work with all stakeholders to:

ensure timely implementation of an effective Fund

ensure that the Fund supports countries vulnerable to climate change, particularly the least developed countries and Small Island Developing States, and

diversify sources of funding.

The UK encourages collaboration, including via the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), on shared solutions and ambitious approaches to address the impacts of climate change and to protect the most vulnerable.

Thank you.

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Updates to this page

Published 24 September 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA News: FACT SHEET: President Biden Commemorates Historic Climate Legacy during Climate Week NYC
Source: The White House

President Biden will deliver remarks tomorrow highlighting his climate, conservation, clean energy, and environmental justice agenda, which is lowering costs, creating good-paying and union jobs, and reducing harmful emissions

Meanwhile, House Republicans continue reckless attempts to roll back climate, conservation, and clean energy investments

When President Biden took office, he pledged to restore America’s climate leadership at home and abroad. Every day since, the Biden-Harris Administration has led and delivered on the most ambitious climate, conservation, clean energy, and environmental justice agenda in history, including securing the largest ever climate investment and unleashing a clean energy manufacturing boom that has attracted hundreds of billions of dollars in private sector investment; created hundreds of thousands of new clean energy jobs; and lowered energy costs for families while delivering cleaner air and water for communities across the country.

As business leaders, government officials, young people, and other advocates from around the world gather in New York City to participate in Climate Week, tomorrow President Biden will deliver remarks in New York City highlighting his Administration’s unprecedented progress in tackling the climate crisis, cutting energy costs for everyday Americans, and creating good-paying union jobs.

Meanwhile, as President Biden and Vice President Harris continue to implement their Investing in America agenda, many Congressional Republicans continue to deny the impacts of climate change and are actively working to roll back this Administration’s historic and urgent climate investments – in fact, House Republicans have voted more than 50 times to repeal parts of President Biden’s climate investments. The contrast couldn’t be clearer.

From replacing toxic lead pipes and modernizing our electric grid to reducing air pollution and conserving our nation’s lands and waters, President Biden and Vice President Harris have positioned America to lead the global effort against climate change and protect the health, safety, and economic vitality of our communities and our environment for generations to come.

Biden-Harris Administration’s Top Climate Accomplishments

Deploying Clean, Affordable Electricity and Strengthening America’s Power Grid
Through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden has secured unprecedented investments in a clean power sector, unleashing a boom in American solar, wind, battery storage, nuclear, and other clean energy technologies that are creating good-paying jobs and saving families money on utility bills. President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is supporting the U.S. offshore wind industry, transmission buildout and other power grid upgrades, residential solar for low-income households, investments in clean electricity across rural America, efficient permitting to get new projects built, and American manufacturing of clean energy technologies. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, the US has added more than 100 gigawatts of new clean energy – enough to power more than 25 million homes. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, clean energy project developers get access to expanded tax incentives if they pay workers prevailing wages and employ registered apprentices, build their projects with domestic content, or locate projects in historic energy communities—provisions that are helping make more clean energy jobs good-paying and union jobs, supporting American manufacturing, and driving clean energy investment to the places that can benefit the most.

Bolstering Climate Resilience and Adaptation

The Biden-Harris Administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to addressing climate impacts, including through Federal climate adaptation planning and integrating consideration of climate impacts into Federal policies, programs, and funding. The Administration released a National Climate Resilience Framework and President Biden secured more than $50 billion for climate resilience and adaptation investments that are upgrading aging roads and bridges, including critical evacuation routes; restoring critical waterways, forests, and urban greenspaces; building forest health and reducing wildfire risk; bolstering water infrastructure and drought resilience across the American West; reducing the risk to federal assets from future floods; and modernizing our electric grid. Through portals like Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) and Heat.gov, the Administration is equipping communities with the information and resources they need to assess climate risks and implement adaptation actions in their communities. With historic investments from the President’s Investing in America agenda, the Administration stabilized the short-term security of the Colorado River and is making investments to ensure the long-term stability of the Colorado River Basin.

Accelerating a Clean Transportation Future

Last year, the Biden-Harris Administration released the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, a landmark strategy for eliminating nearly all greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector by 2050. The Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act invest tens of billions to decarbonize maritime, trucking, transit, rail, and aviation, all while making communities more walkable, bikeable, and connected. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is also investing $7.5 billion to build a nationwide network of convenient, reliable electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure along corridors and within communities, and $5 billion to put clean school buses on our roads. In addition, the President rallied automakers and autoworkers around a historic goal of having electric vehicles account for at least 50% of new passenger vehicles sold by 2030. To support this goal while driving down consumer costs, the Administration secured tax credits that reduce the cost of new or used clean vehicles by thousands of dollars directly at the dealership as well as tax credits to deploy EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure to support clean vehicle deployment needs for individuals and businesses within rural and low income communities. The Administration is also leading by example to electrify the federal vehicle fleet, including 66,000 U.S. Postal Service delivery vehicles over five years.

Cutting Energy Costs and Pollution at Homes, Schools, and in Communities

Last year, 3.4 million American families saved $8.4 billion from IRA home energy tax credits for heat pumps, insulation, solar, and other clean energy technologies, and today states across the US are rolling out IRA rebates of up to $14,000 per household to help low- and middle-income families afford cost-saving electric appliances and energy efficiency improvements. The President established a $20 billion national clean energy financing network that will support tens of thousands of clean energy projects and cost-saving retrofits, reducing or avoiding up to 40 million metric tons of carbon pollution annually over the next seven years. The Biden-Harris Administration has also strengthened energy efficiency standards to save households and businesses money, with standards updated by DOE for dozens of appliances expected to provide nearly $1 trillion in consumer savings over 30 years, saving the average household more than $100 a year while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2 billion metric tons. Schools across the country are using IRA clean energy tax credits and elective pay to install solar, energy storage, and ground source heat pumps.

Revitalizing American Manufacturing for the Clean Economy

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has helped catalyze historic manufacturing growth, with factories opening across the nation. The private sector has committed over $910 billion in investments in American manufacturing and clean energy, including sectors central to our industrial strength. The President’s agenda is helping to make U.S. manufacturing the cleanest and most competitive in the world. The Inflation Reduction Act is investing more than $6 billion to slash climate pollution and support workers and community health at U.S. factories producing the steel, aluminum, cement, and other materials that form the backbone of our economy, nearly $2 billion to support shuttered or at-risk auto facilities retain or re-hire workers to support manufacturing in the electric vehicle supply chain, over $3 billion to bolster battery manufacturing, and over $4 billion through the Federal Buy Clean Initiative to bolster markets to buy cleaner materials. The Biden-Harris Administration’s historic steps to reduce super-polluting methane and hydrofluorocarbons are also harnessing American innovation and creating good-paying union jobs.

Advancing Environmental Justice

Since Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has prioritized a whole-of-government approach to environmental justice. The President signed a historic Executive Order that mobilizes the federal government to bring clean energy and healthy environments to all and mitigate harm to those who have suffered from pollution and environmental burdens like climate change. Through the Justice40 Initiative, over 500 programs across 19 federal agencies are being reimagined and transformed to maximize the benefits of President Biden’s unprecedented investments – from clean energy projects to floodwater protections to wastewater infrastructure – to communities that need them most. At the same time, the Administration is taking unprecedented action to protect communities from PFAS pollution, accelerate Superfund and brownfield cleanups, tighten standards for hazardous air pollutants, and enhance air quality enforcement. To ensure the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of communities with environmental justice concerns are heard in the White House and reflected in federal priorities, policies, investments, and decision-making, President Biden also created the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.

Delivering Clean Water and Replacing Lead Pipes

President Biden and Vice President Harris are fighting to ensure a future where every American has access to clean, safe water. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests over $50 billion in upgrading the nation’s water infrastructure – the largest investment in clean water in American history. The Administration has already launched over 1,700 projects to expand access to clean drinking water, replace lead pipes, improve wastewater and sanitation infrastructure, and remove PFAS pollution in water. The Biden-Harris Administration invested over $1 billion from the President’s Investing in America agenda to specifically accelerate the delivery of drinking water and community sanitation infrastructure projects in Indian Country, where almost 50% of communities are lacking this basic human right. President Biden has also made a commitment to replace every toxic lead pipe in the country within a decade, protecting families from lead poisoning that can irreversibly harm brain development in children.

Empowering Every Community to Advance Climate Solutions

The historic set of federal actions that the Biden-Harris Administration has taken are supporting communities across the country in seizing opportunities in the clean energy economy. The Administration has mobilized billions of dollars in investment in the energy communities and workers that have powered our nation for generations. To help young people access skills-based training for good-paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy, the Administration launched the American Climate Corps, which will mobilize a new, diverse generation of more than 20,000 Americans. And with direct support from the Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, more than 45 states and more than 200 Tribes, territories, and metro areas have now developed their own Climate Action Plans. All of these foundational efforts will support climate solutions in the near-term and for years to come, helping the nation achieve the goal of reducing climate pollution by 50-52% below 2005 levels in 2030 and reaching a net-zero economy by no later than 2050.

Conserving our Lands and Waters

President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative is supporting and accelerating voluntary, locally led conservation and restoration efforts across the country, and with 42 million acres already protected under President Biden, the U.S. is on track to meet the first-ever national goal to conserve at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. The Biden-Harris Administration has established or expanded eight national monuments and restored protections for three more; created five new national wildlife refuges and significantly expanded five more; established two new national marine sanctuaries and begun the process to designate or expand protections for five more; created one new national estuarine research reserve; protected the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, the nation’s most visited wilderness area; safeguarded Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska from the impacts of mining; protected the Arctic Ocean from oil and gas development; and withdrawn Chaco Canyon in New Mexico and Thompson Divide in Colorado from further oil and gas leasing which will protect pristine lands and thousands of sacred sites. The Administration also directed the conservation of old-growth and mature forests, put conservation on equal footing with development in managing our public lands, launched the America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge to protect, restore, and reconnect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of our nation’s river and streams, protected vast areas of caribou habitat in the Western Arctic for future generations, and is advancing the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of California.

Rallying Leaders of the World’s Largest Economies to Raise Global Climate Ambition

President Biden has restored America’s climate leadership at home and abroad. Under his leadership, the Administration is securing commitments from more than 155 countries to reduce methane emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030; successfully galvanizing other countries at COP28 to commit, for the first time, to transition away from unabated fossil fuels, stop building new unabated coal capacity globally, and triple renewable energy globally by 2030 and nuclear energy by 2050; launching a new Clean Energy Supply Chain Collaborative to work with international partners to diversify supply chains that are critical to a clean and secure energy transition; mobilizing other governments to follow the U.S. lead and commit to achieve net-zero government emissions by 2050 through a new Net-Zero Government Initiative; and becoming a world leader in innovative debt-for-nature swaps that have helped countries restructure over $2 billion in debt and unlock hundreds of millions of new financing for nature and climate.

Accelerating Federal Permitting to Deliver Clean Energy and Infrastructure More Quickly

The Biden-Harris Administration has taken action to accelerate clean energy infrastructure and deliver other critical projects by securing and directing long overdue resources to improve and accelerate permitting and environmental reviews. The Administration also finalized the Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule to address climate change, protect public health, encourage better environmental outcomes, and promote meaningful public input on Federal decisions and projects.

House Republicans Continue Attempting to Roll Back Climate Protections

As President Biden and Vice President Harris implement the most ambitious and impactful climate and conservation agenda in history, House Republicans are taking action right now that would roll back investments in climate, clean energy, and public health. House Republicans’ efforts to gut climate protections through a variety of avenues – including appropriations bills, Congressional Review Act resolutions, and other legislative actions – would raise consumer energy costs, undermine public health protections, worsen the impacts of extreme weather events, and destroy environmental safeguards for our lands and waters.

Ongoing attempts by Congressional Republicans to roll back climate and environmental protections would:

Raise Consumer Energy Costs, including by:

Gut Public Health Protections, including by:
- Trying to overturn Biden-Harris Administration rules that protect communities from coal plants’ water pollution, air pollution, and waste disposal.
- Trying to overturn a Biden-Harris Administration rule that will reduce by 96% the number of people with elevated cancer risk near certain chemical plants, by reducing emissions of toxic chloroprene and ethylene oxide from those facilities.
- Rolling back the Clean School Bus program that will reduce climate pollution and provide cleaner air for our nation’s children.
- Undermining clean air progress by trying to overturn rules that reduce pollution from power plants, cars and trucks , and industrial sources.
- Taking steps to block new Biden-Harris Administration rules to protect coal and other miners from toxic silica dust.
Destroy Protections for Our Lands and Waters, including by:
- Trying to eliminate Presidential authority to establish national monuments altogether.
- Working to dismantle President Biden’s America the Beautiful Initiative.
- Threatening to expose cherished landscapes to new drilling, including 13 million acres of special areas in the Western Arctic.
- Planning to reduce accountability for oil and gas companies.
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MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA News: U.S.-UAE Joint Leaders’ Statement Dynamic Strategic Partners

Source: The White House

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and President Joseph R. Biden Jr. met today at the White House during an official visit of His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to the United States. The visit is the first-ever by a President of the United Arab Emirates to Washington and marks the leaders’ fourth bilateral meeting in the Biden-Harris Administration. The leaders affirmed the enduring U.S.-UAE strategic and defense partnership, bolstered areas of deepening cooperation in advanced technology and investments, and discussed global and regional matters. The leaders pledged to pursue new opportunities to strengthen their economic and defense partnership; promote peace and stability across the Middle East and wider region; and deliver global leadership on issues of shared importance. The five decades of U.S.-UAE ties and friendship are rooted in a strong foundation of close collaboration that has underpinned our countries’ prosperity and security.

The leaders welcomed the significant progress between the United Arab Emirates and the United States during their tenure through cooperation in building trusted technology ecosystems, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), the U.S.-UAE Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) initiative, and the Economic Policy Dialogue (EPD), all of which serve to uplift economic and trade ties between the two countries.

On particular issues of discussion:

Dynamic Strategic Partnership: Trade and Advanced Technology

Our countries’ strong foundation of partnership is reflected in our close alignment on key economic objectives and in the excellence of our private sectors that generate more than $40 billion of bilateral trade annually and an access of $26 billion of U.S. exports to the UAE. The Leaders charted an ambitious course for the United Arab Emirates and the United States to lead global efforts to develop and expand new fields central to the global economy, particularly in advanced technologies and the clean energy required to power Artificial Intelligence.

They welcomed the partnership between Microsoft and UAE’s Group 42 (G42) through Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in April 2024. This investment is accelerating joint AI development to bring advanced AI and digital infrastructure to countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.

The leaders further welcomed Microsoft and G42’s ongoing digital transformation in Kenya, which will leverage 1GW of geothermal energy to power data-centers to enable the deployment of cloud infrastructure and AI services for the public sector and regulated industries as well as enterprises. Further, the partnership will support the development of local Large Language Models and the establishment of an East African Innovation Lab. Additionally, the partnership hopes to encourage international and local connectivity investments, and collaboration with the government of Kenya to enable digital transformation programs across East Africa.

These initiatives mark the beginning of our partnership and investments in the responsible deployment of advanced technologies, clean energy, and frontier technologies that will be the engine that powers our interconnected world.

To meet the promise of this transformational moment and harness the potential of leading-edge technologies to improve human welfare globally, President Biden and His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the Common Principles for Cooperation on AI, endorsed today by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoon bin Zayed, and through which the United States and the United Arab Emirates aim to further strengthen cooperation, develop regulatory frameworks, promote the safe and trusted deployment of critical and emerging technologies, and enable enhanced support for joint private-public sector research and academic exchanges.

Building on our collaboration in the field of advanced technology, this partnership incorporates safeguards to protect the national security of both countries, enable trusted investments and entrepreneurship, and facilitate cross-border innovation, while creating jobs and facilitating the protection of advanced U.S. technologies and respect for international principles, best practices, and human rights. Moving forward, the leaders decided to promote the expansion of relationships among scientific, academic, and research and development communities.

Strengthening Critical Infrastructure and Supply Chain Resiliencies

The leaders reviewed progress on efforts to build a more interconnected, integrated world in committing to secure and resilient supply chains through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI).

His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Biden discussed progress on the landmark India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) launched at the 2023 G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi together with the leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union. The leaders reaffirmed that the corridor – connecting India to Europe by ship-to-rail connections through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe through Greece – will generate economic growth, incentivize new investments, increase efficiencies and reduce costs, enhance economic unity, generate jobs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enable the transformative integration of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

They underscored that this transformative partnership has the potential to usher in a new era of international connectivity to facilitate global trade, expand reliable access to electricity, facilitate clean energy distribution, and strengthen telecommunication. The two leaders emphasized the importance of joint initiatives to promote a circular economy, reduce waste, facilitate recycling, and advance sustainable practices, underscoring their commitment to innovation for resource efficiency and environmentally responsible growth.

The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to continue their efforts with international partners and the private sector to connect the continents to commercial hubs and facilitate the development and export of clean energy; support existing trade and manufacturing synergies; strengthen food security and supply chains; and link energy grids and tele-communication lines through undersea cables to expand access to electricity, enable innovation of advanced clean energy technology, and connect communities to secure and stable internet.

The leaders additionally discussed the importance of ongoing efforts to cooperate on strategic investments in hard infrastructure and critical minerals-supply chains in Africa and emerging markets globally. These investments aim to diversify sourcing of critical minerals that are essential components to clean energy and advanced technologies, including batteries, wind turbines, semiconductors, and electric vehicles. President Biden recognized the United Arab Emirates’ leadership in strategic investments globally to ensure reliable access to critical infrastructure including, ports, mines, and logistics hubs through the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company, Abu Dhabi Ports, and DP World.

Both leaders committed to remain in close touch on future investment opportunities and maintain cooperation on strategic investments.

The leaders additionally highlighted that the U.S.–UAE 123 Agreement, which provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation, is the “gold standard” for securing and propelling the next generation of technologies.

Partnering to Protect our Planet Through the Clean Energy Transition

The leaders underscored the importance of U.S.-UAE leadership at COP28, which galvanized world leaders to take action and address the climate crisis. President Biden thanked His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for his extraordinary commitment that was central to the groundbreaking outcomes at COP28 in Dubai resulting in the UAE Consensus.

The two leaders recognized that this moment represents a unique opportunity to create sustainable and clean energy jobs, revitalize communities, improve quality of life, and power digital infrastructure with renewable energy across both countries and around the globe. In this context, the two leaders affirmed their shared commitment to protecting our precious planet and securing a sustainable future for humanity through united leadership across various platforms, including the upcoming COP29 and beyond, which will serve to advance climate action and strengthen global partnerships.

The two leaders expressed their determination to leverage visionary initiatives, including the Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE), the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C), the First Movers Coalition, the Net Zero Producers Forum, the Global Methane Pledge, Carbon Management Challenge, the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC), the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA), the Global Biofuels Alliance, and Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Trust Fund; and encourage commercial partnerships to decarbonize our energy systems, reduce emissions in pursuit of a net zero economy, and deliver prosperity to future generations.

President Biden and His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reaffirmed their strong commitment to collaborate on sustainability and climate resilience, emphasizing their commitment to addressing global challenges through innovative solutions. The two leaders underscored their joint efforts in advancing agri-tech and vertical farming innovations, key drivers in enhancing food security for future generations. They highlighted ongoing cooperation in humanitarian initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity in vulnerable regions, particularly through agricultural development and capacity building in climate affected areas. Recognizing the impact of climate change on public health, the leaders emphasized the need to integrate health resilience into comprehensive climate action strategies.

President Biden also congratulated the United Arab Emirates on its many successes in its two Years of Sustainability (2023-2024), including the recent announcement on co-hosting the next UN Water Conference in 2026 with Senegal, noting the critical importance of accessible and affordable clean water to all; and its significance within various sectors in the clean energy transition, addressing climate change, and the sustainable development agenda.

Partnership to Accelerate Clean Energy (PACE)

Under the U.S.-UAE Partnership to Accelerate Clean Energy (PACE) initiative, the United States and the UAE are announcing several initiatives that will continue our efforts to ensure a swift and smooth transition towards clean energy. The United States and United Arab Emirates remain committed to investing together in Africa and working to end energy poverty across sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the UAE-based Averi Finance and AMEA Power are both private sector partners under the U.S.-led Power Africa Initiative, joining an existing partnership with UAE-based company Phanes. As private sector partners, these firms will be offered tailored assistance from transaction advisors and technical experts and can benefit from services offered by participating U.S. government departments and agencies.

To support the Power Africa initiative, Averi Finance intends to facilitate $5 billion in investments, build 3GW of power generation projects, construct over 3,000 kilometers of transmission or distribution lines, establish over 500,000 new home and business connections, and aim for a CO2 equivalent reduction or avoidance of 90 million tons. AMEA Power and Power Africa have recently entered into a partnership to accelerate power projects. AMEA Power is targeting 5GW of renewable energy capacity in Africa by 2030, and to realize this target, intends to mobilize $5 billion in capital.

Additionally, under PACE, ADNOC has announced a 35 percent stake in ExxonMobil’s proposed low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Baytown, Texas. This facility aims to produce up to approximately 900,000 tons of low-carbon ammonia per year, enabling the transition to cleaner fuels in hard-to-abate sectors. Plynth Energy – a recently established Abu Dhabi government-owned early-stage fund focused on fusion technologies and supply chains – invested in the U.S. company Zap Energy, which plans to build scalable and commercially-viable fusion energy. This investment will help fund the further development of Zap Energy’s small-format commercial fusion technology. Zap Energy is a participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, and will receive DOE funding based on reaching development milestones to support the design of a fusion pilot plant.

Lastly, as two of over 155 participants in the Global Methane Pledge, the U.S. and the UAE will accelerate their respective domestic methane reductions, work together to support countries undertaking methane abatement, and call on others to do the same by advancing methane reduction projects, strengthening methane standards and regulations, addressing methane super emitter events, and identifying appropriate financing for methane reduction.

Partners in Space Exploration

As founding nation members of the Artemis Accords, His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Biden reinforced the U.S. and UAE’s groundbreaking cooperation in space, the future of human exploration, and our shared interest in deepening our understanding of the universe.

The leaders recalled the role of this partnership in the historic launch of the first Arab probe to Mars, the Hope Probe in 2021, and the resulting and ongoing global scientific collaboration and contribution to the study of Mars’ atmosphere. This strategic partnership in deep space missions is further exemplified by the UAE Space Agency’s announcement of the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, the first multi-asteroid tour and landing mission to the main belt, with the partner, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The leaders highlighted the January 2024 Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center agreement with NASA for the Center to provide an airlock for Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon supported by NASA’s missions for long-term Moon exploration under the Artemis Program. The airlock will allow crew and equipment transfers to-and-from the habitable environment of Gateway’s pressurized modules to the vacuum of space. This agreement will also enable the first Emirati astronaut to fly to the Gateway for joint exploration of the Moon.

This cooperation builds on NASA and the UAE’s previous human spaceflight collaboration. In 2019, Hazaa Al Mansouri became the first Emirati astronaut to fly to space during a visit to the International Space Station (ISS), where he worked with NASA to perform experiments and educational outreach. A second Emirati astronaut, Sultan Al Neyadi, launched to the ISS in 2023, where he participated in the floating laboratory’s scientific research to advance human knowledge and improve life on Earth. The leaders welcomed continued training of astronauts, including two Emirati astronaut candidates in training at the Johnson Space Center, as well as ongoing work on Mars research and scientific studies to support mutual exploration goals.

Sharing the common spirit and ambition of humanity’s journey in space, the leaders reaffirmed the principles of the Artemis Accords to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes and usher in a new era of exploration, as well as obligations under the Outer Space Treaty, including the requirement that countries not place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kind of weapons of mass destruction.

Partners in Security and Defense

His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed and President Biden praised the strong security and defense partnership with the UAE. President Biden strongly affirmed the United States’ commitment to the United Arab Emirates’ security and territorial defense, and to facilitating its ability to obtain necessary capabilities to defend its people and territory against external threats. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral security and defense relationship and to expanding defense and security cooperation to bolster joint defense capabilities against external threats, including through the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.

The leaders affirmed a shared vision of an interconnected, peaceful, tolerant, and prosperous region as outlined by President Biden during the GCC+3 Summit Meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 16, 2022. They reviewed the proud legacy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder, in peace and in conflict, including the UAE’s support for American-led counterterrorism missions since the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington on September 11, 2001, to deter threats, de-escalate conflicts, and reduce tensions globally. Specifically, the leaders recalled the United States and the United Arab Emirates standing alongside each other in the global coalition against Da’esh, and prior conflicts: Somalia, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.

The leaders reviewed ongoing initiatives and investments in advanced systems that have made the United Arab Emirates one of the most capable U.S. military partners in the region, in addition to a robust schedule of bilateral and multilateral exercises. They underscored the importance of strengthening efforts to combat regional threats, advance counterterrorism initiatives, reinforce maritime security and counter-piracy efforts, increase security cooperation, and intercept illicit shipments of weaponry and technology.

The leaders discussed deepening investment in U.S. defense systems and acknowledged that military-to-military cooperation with the United Arab Emirates’ armed services helps ensure interoperability with the United States through the provision of advanced defense articles and services. They further decided to explore potential investment in our most advanced defense systems and to maintain regular exchanges to deepen partnership in research and development.

The leaders reaffirmed the 2017 Defense Cooperation Agreement, an important step for both countries that underscored their vital and longstanding collaboration in defeating terrorist groups, such as Da’esh and al-Qaida, securing regional stability, and combatting threats against their common interests including terrorist financing. They underscored the importance of the annual Joint Military Dialogue as the foremost bilateral defense forum for advancing the U.S.-UAE defense partnership, including reviewing shared security interests, as well as discussing strategic objectives for the relationship and challenges in the region, such as maritime security, counter-piracy, counterterrorism cooperation, and domain awareness in the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and East Africa. They further noted the recognition by the Security Council in Resolution 2686 that hate speech, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, related forms of intolerance, gender discrimination and acts of extremism can contribute to driving the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflict.

Designation as a Major Defense Partner of the United States

Acknowledging the U.S. and UAE’s deepening security partnership and cooperation in advanced technology and acquisition, shared interest in preventing conflict and de-escalation, President Biden today recognized the United Arab Emirates as a Major Defense Partner of the United States, joined by only India, to further enhance defense cooperation and security in the Middle East, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean regions. This unique designation as a Major Defense Partner will allow for unprecedented cooperation through joint training, exercises, and military-to-military collaboration, between the military forces of the United States, the UAE, and India, as well as other common military partners, in furtherance of regional stability.

Both leaders committed to close and sustained cooperation among our militaries.

Partners in a Stable, Integrated, and Prosperous Middle East and Wider Region

The leaders stressed the importance of reaching a peaceful solution to the dispute over the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law including the UN Charter.

The leaders discussed persisting and emerging threats to peace and stability in the Middle East and the wider region. They renewed their commitment to upholding international law, particularly international humanitarian law, work with parties to resolve conflicts and protect civilians, and to provide urgently needed aid to alleviate human suffering. They reiterated the importance of sustainable and enduring solutions to the security threats in the region, including those posed by non-state terrorist actors. They discussed the enduring importance of the Abraham Accords and continuing on the path of peace, integration, and prosperity in the region.

The leaders discussed the war in Gaza. They underscored their commitment to continue working together towards ending the conflict, calling for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2735, and affirmed that all sides to the conflict must adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law. President Biden commended the UAE’s extraordinary humanitarian efforts in Gaza, which have been critical in addressing the humanitarian crisis, including through the launch of a maritime corridor for movement of aid, opening a field hospital in Gaza, and supporting evacuations of wounded civilians and cancer patients.

The two leaders emphasized the ongoing need for the urgent, unhindered, and sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, at a scale commensurate with the growing needs among the civilian population throughout Gaza. They called on all parties to ensure the safety, security, and sustained access of aid workers to all those in need, and to create the conditions needed to facilitate an effective humanitarian response in Gaza.

His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed commended the mediation efforts by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, to reach a lasting and sustainable ceasefire and hostage release deal to help end the war in Gaza. His Highness also echoed the principles laid out by President Biden on May 31, 2024, and stressed the importance of building on this proposal in order to create a serious political horizon for negotiation. To that end, the leaders discussed a path to stabilization and recovery that responds to the humanitarian crisis, establishes law and order, and lays the groundwork for responsible governance. The leaders expressed their commitment to the two-State solution, wherein a sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state lives side-by-side in peace and security with Israel, as the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in accordance with the internationally-recognized parameters and the Arab Peace Initiative. They stressed the need to refrain from all unilateral measures that undermine the two-State solution, and to preserve the historic status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites, recognizing the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in this regard.

On the conflict in Sudan, the leaders expressed their deep concern over the tragic impact the violence has had on the Sudanese people and on neighboring countries. Both leaders expressed alarm at the millions of individuals who have been displaced by the war, the hundreds of thousands experiencing famine, and the atrocities committed by the belligerents against the civilian population. They stressed that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Sudan and underscored their firm and unwavering position on the imperative for concrete and immediate action to achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities, the return to the political process, and transition to civilian-led governance.

Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to de-escalate the conflict, alleviate the suffering of the people of Sudan, ensure humanitarian assistance reaches the Sudanese people, and prevent Sudan from attracting transnational terrorist networks once again. Noting their shared concern about the risk of imminent atrocities, particularly as fighting continues in Darfur, they underscored that all parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and all individuals and groups that commit war crimes must be held accountable. The leaders emphasized that the priority right now must be the protection of civilians, particularly women, children and the elderly, securing humanitarian pauses in order to scale up and facilitate the movement of humanitarian assistance into the country and across conflict lines, and ensuring the delivery of aid to those in need, especially to the most vulnerable.

Partners in Cyberspace

The leaders emphasized that safety and stability in cyberspace is critical for digital economic growth and development, and reaffirmed their commitment to an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable internet, underpinned by the multistakeholder model of internet governance.

They committed to deepen cooperation on cybersecurity and to enhance cyber collaboration to protect critical infrastructure, counter malicious cyber activity by state and non-state actors, and noted that the UAE’s significant contributions to the International Counter Ransomware Initiative reflects the strength of our cooperation. The leaders committed to promote stability in cyberspace based on the applicability of international law including the United Nations Charter, the promotion of voluntary norms of responsible state behavior during peacetime, and the development and implementation of confidence building measures between states.

Looking Forward

The United States and the United Arab Emirates are both entrepreneurial nations, joined together by a relentless focus on the future. Our aspirations are rooted in a common resolve to pursue innovative partnerships in new fields, including AI, food security, infrastructure investment, and supply chain resilience, even as we continue to strengthen the foundational element of our partnership: our longstanding people-to-people ties. These connections between our countries drive progress and expand horizons, from clean energy technologies, to AI, defense cooperation, space exploration, and ongoing coordination across priority areas of science, education, and culture. This first-ever official visit by a President of the United Arab Emirates to the United States sets a new foundation for our countries’ cooperation for decades to come

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MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: White House Press Call by Senior Adviser to the President and Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta Previewing Climate Week Speech

US Senate News:

Source: The White House
Via Teleconference
9:47 A.M. EDT
MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Hi. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining today’s press call to preview President Biden’s speech at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum tomorrow and on the pre- — and on the Biden-Harris administration’s historic efforts to combat climate change.
As a reminder, this call will be on the record and embargoed until today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
The call will begin with on-the-record remarks from Senior Adviser to the President and White House Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta.
Afterwards, we will have an — a question-and-answer period.
With that, I will turn it over to Ben.
MR. LABOLT: Thanks, Angelo, and good morning, everybody.
President Biden is fresh off his Quad Summit, where he showcased his continued leadership on the world stage by bringing our allies together to cooperate on — on major cross-border issues. He just delivered a major speech last Thursday on the economic progress we’ve seen under — under this administration. And later today, he’s heading to New York to the U.N. General Assembly.
He’s got a busy schedule in New York, and you’ll see him lay out his vision for continued U.S. leadership on the world stage, including renewed cooperation to address shared global challenges such as confronting the climate crisis.
And as the president continues to sprint to the finish line, tomorrow, as part of Climate Week, he’ll deliver remarks highlighting his and Vice President Harris’ leadership to tackle the climate crisis.
His speech tomorrow at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum will showcase just how transformational this administration has been in helping to meet all of our climate, conservation, and clean energy goals — from reducing emissions and moving in the long term to a net-zero economy, to mobilizing private-sector investments in domestic manufacturing, to protecting our lands and waters, and so much more.
And of course, through each of those important goals, also making significant in pro- — progress along the way to lower families’ energy costs; create good-paying union job; and ultimately leave for our children and grandchildren a stronger, healthier planet.
Ali and John will share a bit more about the president’s domestic and international climate legacy in just a moment, but I want to take a moment to highlight how important the stakes are and why the president’s efforts have been essential in making sure we stay on track for our climate goals.
If, as the science demands, we are going to meet the president’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050 and of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, then we’ve got to keep the pedal to the metal on our climate efforts. We cannot afford to delay or to go back.
We’re seeing the impacts the climate crisis is having on our communities every day. Yet as cities are flooding or on fire or under extreme heat watches or trapped in a cloud of smog, many congressional Republicans continue to deny the very existence of climate change.
And it’s not just talk. Congressional Republicans are taking action right now that would roll back investments in climate, clean energy, and public health.
In this session alone, congressional Republicans’ efforts to gut climate protections are being pushed through a variety of avenues, including appropriations bills, Congressional Review Act resolutions, and other legislative actions, which would have a devastating impact on families, the economy, and the environment.
From undermining clean vehicle tax credits to attacking cost-saving efficiency standards, they continue to side with special interests to keep consumer energy prices high.
During this session, congressional Republicans have advanced legislation to repeal new programs from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that are helping families save hundreds of dollars each year on energy costs, including attacking new rebate programs for energy-efficient home upgrades and programs that support residential solar projects in low-income communities.
After the president’s historic work to enhance public health protections and strengthen pollution standards, congressional Republicans are working to weaken those protections, which would harm their constituents’ lives and livelihoods.
They’ve introduced resolutions that would roll back the administration’s rules that protect communities from coal plants’ water pollution, air pollution, and waste disposal. They’re working to overturn lifesaving rules under the Clean Air Act that reduce pollution from power plants, cars, trucks, and indus- — and industrial sources. And they’re failing to protect the health of mine workers, including by trying to block new rules that protect coal and other miners from toxic exposures.
With more than 42 million acres already conserved, President Biden is on track to conserve more lands and waters than any modern president has in four years. But congressional Republicans are attempting to roll back protections for our nation’s outdoor treasures and open up our lands and waters to increased irresponsible development.
They’re trying to eliminate presidential authority to establish national monuments altogether. They’re also trying to dismantle President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative, which is supporting locally led conservation efforts across the country, and to overturn the administration’s Public Lands Rule that will help conserve wildlife habitat, restore places impacted by wildfire and drought, expand outdoor recreation, and guide thoughtful and balanced development.
They’re supporting legislation and other appropriations vehicles that would undo protections for 13 million acres of special areas in the Western Arctic and dismantle efforts to protect the U.S. Arctic Ocean and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from new oil and gas leasing.
The Biden-Harris administration successfully finalized the first updates in decades to hold oil and gas companies accountable and ensure they provide fair returns to taxpayers, but congressional Republicans are seeking to overturn these overdue reforms.
And just to put a finer point on it: Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, congressional Republicans have voted more than 50 times to repeal all or parts of the largest and most impactful climate legislation in history.
Yet even though most Republicans are in lock- — lockstep in this approach, some are starting to change their tune. Last month, 18 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson asking him not to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.
Perhaps it’s because President’s Biden’s policies are leading to more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs already created, more than half of which are in Republican-held districts.
It also might be because they’re starting to realize that jacking up families’ energy prices, weakening pollution protections, and slowing our clean energy transition are unpopular back home.
Whatever the reason, it’s obvious that the contrast between President Biden and Kamala Harris’ policies with those of congressional Republicans couldn’t be clearer.
This coming Climate Week and for every week thereafter, this president and his team will continue to work on behalf of the American people to protect our planet, lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs, and do what’s needed to ensure that our grandchildren can experience a planet with clean air and drinkable water.
And with that, I’ll turn it over to the president’s national climate adviser, Ali Zaidi.
MR. ZAIDI: Thanks so much to everybody for joining.
We are five years into what the UNFCCC declared as the “decisive decade for climate action.” Tomorrow, President Biden will deliver the decisive decade halftime report. And what he will show is how the United States has changed the playbook fundamentally — not focused on the doom and gloom, focused instead on the massive economic opportunity, a chance to build U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure, and a chance to build the American middle class.
The president will talk about what we’re seeing on the scoreboard. Since the start of the administration, 100 gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States — 25 million homes’ worth of power. You see off our coast an offshore industry, where before there was none.
In rural America, the largest investment in clean energy electrification since FDR — one in five rural Americans seeing the benefits of that clean energy.
A nuclear industry revitalized — plants that were slated to be shut down put back into use; plants retired coming back to meet surging demand.
In transportation, electric vehicles now quadrupled in sales, chargers doubled on our roads and highways, the postal service going fully electric, and all of that being made in America — batteries being made in America; anodes, cathodes, the very critical minerals necessary for tackling climate change being sourced here in the United States of America.
And, of course, we’re seeing this translate into benefits for consumers. The standards the president has finalized or more efficient appliances saving a trillion dollars for consumers over the next several decades.
And just last year, millions of Americans taking advantage of the Biden-Harris clean energy tax credits to retrofit their homes, put in upgrades that will save them money, lower utility bills and costs.
He’s done all of this while protecting the environment. As Ben noted, 42 million acres conserved by tackling the scrooge [scourge] of environmental injustice, meeting pollution where it is in fence-line communities, and delivering solutions that take effect right away.
He’s made sure that we are leaning into the manufacturing opportunity in all of this. He’s going to talk about how we invented a lot of these technologies, but over the last several years, we’ve now started to actually make these technologies — $900 billion in manufacturing.
So, you see because of these historic efforts under President Biden, Vice President Harris, capital coming off the sidelines, jobs coming back, and America leading on climate. And, you know, core to that — core to that is the president delivering on his fundamental conviction.
When he was running for office, the president often said, “When I see climate, I see jobs.” Since the beginning of his administration, he’s made that a focal point in climate. It’s what’s helped us put all these points on the board. Even today, governors will come together to announce a goal to train another million folks into registered apprenticeships that deliver on the climate workforce that we need to build this clean energy future.
Tomorrow is an opportunity to deliver that decisive decade halftime report to show the progress we’ve made, the points we put on the board, and the path ahead. And President Biden will do that eloquently and in a way, I think, that will hopefully activate and animate accelerated action not just here but around the world.
And for that, let me hand it over to my partner in all of this, the president’s international climate adviser, John Podesta.
MR. PODESTA: Thanks, Ali. And — and thanks to everyone for joining at the beginning of this action-packed Climate Week. And if you’re actually in New York, the traffic-packed Climate Week.
Over the past four years, President Biden and Vice President Harris have pursued the most ambitious and successful climate agenda in history, both domestically and internationally.
We know that the climate crisis is a global problem and that no one country alone can solve it but that U.S. leadership on this issue is critical for bringing the world together.
That’s why President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement on day — day one. It’s why he set a bold goal to cut U.S. emissions by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and backed that goal up with action through the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate and clean energy in the world, as Ali just went through. And it’s why he convened three leaders summits on climate, ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Mo- — Montreal Protocol to phase down super-polluting hydrofluorocarbons.
Over the past four years, this resurgence of U.S. leadership on global climate action has yielded real results.
We’ve raised ambition from countries and companies around the world through the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions 30 percent by 2030, with now 158 countries and the EU signing on.
At COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, the United States successfully galvanized the world to commit, for the first time, to transition away from unabated fossil fuels; to stop building new unabated coal capacity globally; to triple renewable energy globally by 2030, to double the level of efficiency by 2030, and to triple nuclear energy by 2050.
We’ve remained focused on climate finance, which is the biggest topic of discussion at this year’s COP29 in Azerbaijan.
President Biden pledged to work with Congress to quadruple U.S. international public climate finance to over $11 billion per year by 2024. And we’re on track to deliver on that commitment. That includes over $3 billion per year for adaptation under the president’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, or the so-called PREPARE program, which will help a half a billion people worldwide adapt to and manage climate impacts, including sea level rise, storms, droughts, and food insecurity.
The next few months are crucial for our international climate agenda — from COP16 on biodiversity in Cali to the G20 in Rio to COP29 in Baku, and, of course, this week in New York.
This week and throughout this fall, we’ll continue to work with our allies and partners around the world to raise ambitions; unlock additional climate finance from the private sector, multilateral development banks, and public sources; accelerate the deployment of clean energy by driving innovation and lowering costs; reversing and finally ending deforestation; and help more vulnerable countries and communities adapt to a changing climate.
Here’s the bottom line: Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, we’re on the right path here in the U.S. and around the world. We have to accelerate our progress toward our collective climate goals, and I think the president will be calling on other leaders of the world, as he did over the weekend in the new announcements on clean cooling and the clean energy industrial fellowship we entered into with India, to get that job done.
Thank you. And I’ll turn it back over to Angelo.
MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, John. And we will move to the question-and-answer portion. Please use the “raise hand” function on Zoom, and we will call on you. As you are called on, please identify yourself and your outlet.
Okay, we will begin with Lisa. You should be unmuted now.
Q    Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for doing this this morning.
John, you mentioned that the president will be calling on — on other leaders. You know, this is a very international audience this week. Already, countries have seen the United States leave and join and leave and join global efforts to fight climate change. What will the president’s message be to world leaders who are worried about what a Trump administration would bring on climate and maybe don’t know whether the U.S. can be trusted to be a long-term partner?
I guess, related, do you expect President Biden to — to speak directly about former President Trump?
MR. PODESTA: Lisa, you know, in my current role, I can’t talk about politics. (Laughs.) But I think it’s clear that the track record from the previous administration vers- — which pulled out of Paris, abandoned the — the partnership that we had around the globe, reversed a number of actions that President Obama had taken on climate change versus the record that we just laid out is clearly of concern and interest to people around the world.
All I can tell you is the president has demonstrated that you can produce strong economic growth, create good-paying jobs, reach all areas of the country in this — in this task of decarbonizing our economy.
And that’s the message I think he’s sending to global re- — leaders: This is doable. We can invest in the — these new technologies. We can put people to work doing the work that needs to be done, and it’s going to be good for your publics.
So, I think that in — in his speech to — to UNGA, he will, I think, reflect on that record, and I’m sure the — the alternatives will be implicit.
MR. ZAIDI: Look, what I’d add to that — this is Ali — is you’ve seen the politics of climate inaction deteriorate in Congress. House Republicans have put up nearly 50 votes to roll back President Biden and Vice President Harris’ historic climate efforts. They failed. They failed even within their own caucus: Now a dozen and a half members calling on their own leadership to wrap up these efforts, to go in a U-turn direction, because they see the economic case for climate action.
Part of the reason the president has been successful — and as he speaks to this tomorrow, he will point out — is this new formula on climate action, which is focused on driving investment in U.S. manufacturing and U.S. infrastructure, and that has resulted in unprecedented and successful job creation all across the country in blue districts and in red.
So, the politics of inaction are deteriorating. The case for a U-turn is weak and fragile and falling apart. But the haste to go bold and accelerate climate action, we’re seeing the results from that; that’s strengthening.
And, you know, Lisa, you mentioned, there are a lot of leaders from around the world here in New York. There are also a lot of leaders from industry and big investors here in New York, and they’re paying attention to one thing and one thing only, and that is: In the United States, the case for investing in clean energy has never been stronger. The economics for climate action are irresistible here in the United States. And that’s going to cascade around the world as we accelerate progress in this decisive decade.
MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, Ali. We will go to Kemi next. You should be unmuted now.
Q    Hello. Can you guys hear me? Hello?
MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Yes.
Q    Okay. Thank you. Sorry. En route to New York.
I wanted to ask if you can talk about the multilateral (inaudible) boosting climate financing for developing countries as well as how the U.S., the administration will work with China, the number one polluters in the world. As — and your initiative also working with African nations.
Thank you.
MR. PODESTA: Well, thanks — thanks for the question. I — at the bilateral level, I laid out a — at the front end of my remarks, the president’s commitment to increasing climate finance across the board and reach communities across the globe.
We’ve succeeded in — in meeting the targets that the president did at — in his UNGA speech in 2021. I want to underscore that. That’s where he said we will quadruple our climate finance from the historically high level that President Obama produced. It was actually substantially more than that if you compare it to the last years under President Trump. And we’re on track to do that.
Where I’m engaged in events here to try to track additional private-sector investment into the adaptation space, noting — I noted the PREPARE program that the president has put forward, which is going to provide a — help and service to half a billion people across the globe.
We’re engaged, I think, with the — the i- — the discussion right now to increase the national cumulative qualified goal that’s, as I noted, part of what’s most important on the agenda in Baku. Those conversations are continuing, but we’ve seen a substantial increase in climate finance coming through the multilateral development banks and other sources.
It’s going to take the effort of all of us to go from the billions of dollars of — hundreds of billions of dollars of public support that we’ve seen to, really, the trillion dollars of need that are necessary to build sustainable energy systems across the globe.
And so, I think, again, in his conversations with — with global leaders, he hosted President Ruto of Kenya earlier this year, created a commitment to a bilateral partnership with the government of Kenya to build out supply chains there. We’re working with India and Tanzania to do the same thing across new supply chains in Africa.
So, I think the president is r- — is quite focused on this and will get a chance to speak to it both in the meetings that he’s holding on the side as well as in his main UNGA speech.
Q    Okay. If I can just quickly follow up on that. A lot of these developing countries are looking into carbon market. What is your response? What is your view regarding that?
MR. PODESTA: You know, earlier this summer, we issued a joint statement from the U.S. government on our views on the fact that those high-integrity carbon markets are a potentially strong source of finance for countries both to decarbonize the power sector. Secretary Kerry did a tremendous work on creating a new instrument, if you will, in that space as well as in — in agriculture and forestry.
But as we noted in that statement, there’s — there needs to be high integrity both on behalf of the sellers of carbon credits as well as on behalf of buyers in order to make these — these markets work and — and see those — that ability for carbon finance to flow through that channel. Without that, I think the market and — and I think we saw this in the last couple of years — it begins to lose faith that those — that the emissions reductions are real. In which case, I think people back off from making the commitments.
So, I think it’s really critical to make sure that these markets are — have strong integrity, and we laid out the principles to make that happen.
MR. ZAIDI: I just want to add a little bit on how domestic action is, I think, enabling more ambition around the world.
First, there has been analysis, including from the Boston Consulting Group, on the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act in terms of technology cost reduction that actually improve the odds of scale-up around the world — everything from battery technology to clean hydrogen production through electrolyzers.
That technology is being de-risked as a result of the generational investment that President Biden has marshaled to take on the climate crisis here in the United States.
That’s going to have very significant implications around the world. One modeling projection done by the Rhodium Group shows that for every ton reduced here, we will see two or three reduced around the world, again, as the result of that technology de-risking.
The second is the platform de-risking. John talked about the voluntary carbon markets and the principles we laid out earlier this summer to help high-integrity scale-up of that platform.
The investment the United States is making, for example, through the Department of Agriculture in measurement, monitoring, and verification regimes, or through the EPA and the Department of Energy in the utilization of satellite data to track methane leaks from industrial sources — those investments in satellite, in harnessing machine learning and artificial intelligence to take on climate change — those platform investments will de-risk those platforms for the rest of the world and I think help bring additional resources to the Global South.
And then there’s the role of the capital markets more broadly. In the United States, we are building muscle memory around new asset classes, and that’s going to accrue benefits to capital formation and project development all around the world.
So, look, there is the — there is the effort, I think, underway by G20 countries. The*28:59 — when the president was out at the last G20, he said, “I passed an Inflation Reduction Act. You should copycat that.” So, there are a lot of countries that are downloading the U.S. playlist on how to jam out on climate.
But there’s a second piece of it, which is the actions we’re taking here in the United States are de-risking technologies, they’re de-risking platforms, and they’re building the muscle memory to accelerate capital formation project development around the world.
Obviously, that all complements the very important development finance and multilateral work — work John talked about, but I do think this work domestically is going to echo around the world.
MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, Ali.
And our final question will come from Robin. You should be unmuted now.
Q    Hi. Can you hear me?
MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Yes.
Q    Thanks so much for taking my call. I wondered if you could tell us — I know the president told his Cabinet to “sprint to the finish.” I wonder if you can tell us what that’s going to mean on climate, if there’s anything else we can expect — big announcements on climate before the end of the term, and also how he’s thinking about climate when he’s approaching his legacy?
MR. ZAIDI: Robin, I think the president is thinking about climate the same way he has been from day one. When he thinks climate, he thinks jobs. And I know that sounds simple, but I think that’s been the driver of the political economy and the investment case around the country, and that continues to be the case.
You know, you’ll — you’ll see from the administration what you’ve seen from day one: a concerted focus on a sector-by-sector basis, each part of the economy.
In terms of developing new standards and rules that provide certainty to business and improve the investment climate around clean energy technologies, you will continue to see robust implementation from our agencies on the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act. On the broader investment agenda, making sure that those investments are turning in to impacts on the ground.
And you’ll see us do the important work of blocking and tackling to make sure our projects are getting built. Permitting, citing execution has been a focal point for the Biden-Harris administration from day one.
You know, this Cabinet meeting, the president talked about sprinting through the finish line, making sure that we’re building an irreversible momentum behind climate action. But I remember the last Cabinet meeting when he reminded the Cabinet that these laws, these standards, these investments were only as good as the impact they were making on the ground. So, he continues to be relentlessly focused on implementation, on execution, on getting things built.
And that goes to the point I made at the top. This is no longer a theoretical playbook. You could see it as points on the scoreboard today: A hundred gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States under the Biden-Harris administration. That’s going to be our focus. That’s where we continue to spend our time.
MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, Ali.
And that is all the time we have today. Thank you, again, to our speakers and to all of you for joining.
As a reminder, this call and the materials you all received over email or will receive over email will be embargoed until 1:00 P.M. Eastern today.
Thanks again for joining us.
10:20 A.M. EDT

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA News: White House Press Call by Senior Adviser to the President and Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta Previewing Climate Week Speech

Source: The White House

Via Teleconference

9:47 A.M. EDT

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Hi. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining today’s press call to preview President Biden’s speech at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum tomorrow and on the pre- — and on the Biden-Harris administration’s historic efforts to combat climate change.

As a reminder, this call will be on the record and embargoed until today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

The call will begin with on-the-record remarks from Senior Adviser to the President and White House Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta.

Afterwards, we will have an — a question-and-answer period.

With that, I will turn it over to Ben.

MR. LABOLT: Thanks, Angelo, and good morning, everybody.

President Biden is fresh off his Quad Summit, where he showcased his continued leadership on the world stage by bringing our allies together to cooperate on — on major cross-border issues. He just delivered a major speech last Thursday on the economic progress we’ve seen under — under this administration. And later today, he’s heading to New York to the U.N. General Assembly.

He’s got a busy schedule in New York, and you’ll see him lay out his vision for continued U.S. leadership on the world stage, including renewed cooperation to address shared global challenges such as confronting the climate crisis.

And as the president continues to sprint to the finish line, tomorrow, as part of Climate Week, he’ll deliver remarks highlighting his and Vice President Harris’ leadership to tackle the climate crisis.

His speech tomorrow at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum will showcase just how transformational this administration has been in helping to meet all of our climate, conservation, and clean energy goals — from reducing emissions and moving in the long term to a net-zero economy, to mobilizing private-sector investments in domestic manufacturing, to protecting our lands and waters, and so much more.

And of course, through each of those important goals, also making significant in pro- — progress along the way to lower families’ energy costs; create good-paying union job; and ultimately leave for our children and grandchildren a stronger, healthier planet.

Ali and John will share a bit more about the president’s domestic and international climate legacy in just a moment, but I want to take a moment to highlight how important the stakes are and why the president’s efforts have been essential in making sure we stay on track for our climate goals.

If, as the science demands, we are going to meet the president’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050 and of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, then we’ve got to keep the pedal to the metal on our climate efforts. We cannot afford to delay or to go back.

We’re seeing the impacts the climate crisis is having on our communities every day. Yet as cities are flooding or on fire or under extreme heat watches or trapped in a cloud of smog, many congressional Republicans continue to deny the very existence of climate change.

And it’s not just talk. Congressional Republicans are taking action right now that would roll back investments in climate, clean energy, and public health.

In this session alone, congressional Republicans’ efforts to gut climate protections are being pushed through a variety of avenues, including appropriations bills, Congressional Review Act resolutions, and other legislative actions, which would have a devastating impact on families, the economy, and the environment.

From undermining clean vehicle tax credits to attacking cost-saving efficiency standards, they continue to side with special interests to keep consumer energy prices high.

During this session, congressional Republicans have advanced legislation to repeal new programs from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that are helping families save hundreds of dollars each year on energy costs, including attacking new rebate programs for energy-efficient home upgrades and programs that support residential solar projects in low-income communities.

After the president’s historic work to enhance public health protections and strengthen pollution standards, congressional Republicans are working to weaken those protections, which would harm their constituents’ lives and livelihoods.

They’ve introduced resolutions that would roll back the administration’s rules that protect communities from coal plants’ water pollution, air pollution, and waste disposal. They’re working to overturn lifesaving rules under the Clean Air Act that reduce pollution from power plants, cars, trucks, and indus- — and industrial sources. And they’re failing to protect the health of mine workers, including by trying to block new rules that protect coal and other miners from toxic exposures.

With more than 42 million acres already conserved, President Biden is on track to conserve more lands and waters than any modern president has in four years. But congressional Republicans are attempting to roll back protections for our nation’s outdoor treasures and open up our lands and waters to increased irresponsible development.

They’re trying to eliminate presidential authority to establish national monuments altogether. They’re also trying to dismantle President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative, which is supporting locally led conservation efforts across the country, and to overturn the administration’s Public Lands Rule that will help conserve wildlife habitat, restore places impacted by wildfire and drought, expand outdoor recreation, and guide thoughtful and balanced development.

They’re supporting legislation and other appropriations vehicles that would undo protections for 13 million acres of special areas in the Western Arctic and dismantle efforts to protect the U.S. Arctic Ocean and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from new oil and gas leasing.

The Biden-Harris administration successfully finalized the first updates in decades to hold oil and gas companies accountable and ensure they provide fair returns to taxpayers, but congressional Republicans are seeking to overturn these overdue reforms.

And just to put a finer point on it: Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, congressional Republicans have voted more than 50 times to repeal all or parts of the largest and most impactful climate legislation in history.

Yet even though most Republicans are in lock- — lockstep in this approach, some are starting to change their tune. Last month, 18 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson asking him not to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.

Perhaps it’s because President’s Biden’s policies are leading to more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs already created, more than half of which are in Republican-held districts.

It also might be because they’re starting to realize that jacking up families’ energy prices, weakening pollution protections, and slowing our clean energy transition are unpopular back home.

Whatever the reason, it’s obvious that the contrast between President Biden and Kamala Harris’ policies with those of congressional Republicans couldn’t be clearer.

This coming Climate Week and for every week thereafter, this president and his team will continue to work on behalf of the American people to protect our planet, lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs, and do what’s needed to ensure that our grandchildren can experience a planet with clean air and drinkable water.

And with that, I’ll turn it over to the president’s national climate adviser, Ali Zaidi.

MR. ZAIDI: Thanks so much to everybody for joining.

We are five years into what the UNFCCC declared as the “decisive decade for climate action.” Tomorrow, President Biden will deliver the decisive decade halftime report. And what he will show is how the United States has changed the playbook fundamentally — not focused on the doom and gloom, focused instead on the massive economic opportunity, a chance to build U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure, and a chance to build the American middle class.

The president will talk about what we’re seeing on the scoreboard. Since the start of the administration, 100 gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States — 25 million homes’ worth of power. You see off our coast an offshore industry, where before there was none.

In rural America, the largest investment in clean energy electrification since FDR — one in five rural Americans seeing the benefits of that clean energy.

A nuclear industry revitalized — plants that were slated to be shut down put back into use; plants retired coming back to meet surging demand.

In transportation, electric vehicles now quadrupled in sales, chargers doubled on our roads and highways, the postal service going fully electric, and all of that being made in America — batteries being made in America; anodes, cathodes, the very critical minerals necessary for tackling climate change being sourced here in the United States of America.

And, of course, we’re seeing this translate into benefits for consumers. The standards the president has finalized or more efficient appliances saving a trillion dollars for consumers over the next several decades.

And just last year, millions of Americans taking advantage of the Biden-Harris clean energy tax credits to retrofit their homes, put in upgrades that will save them money, lower utility bills and costs.

He’s done all of this while protecting the environment. As Ben noted, 42 million acres conserved by tackling the scrooge [scourge] of environmental injustice, meeting pollution where it is in fence-line communities, and delivering solutions that take effect right away.

He’s made sure that we are leaning into the manufacturing opportunity in all of this. He’s going to talk about how we invented a lot of these technologies, but over the last several years, we’ve now started to actually make these technologies — $900 billion in manufacturing.

So, you see because of these historic efforts under President Biden, Vice President Harris, capital coming off the sidelines, jobs coming back, and America leading on climate. And, you know, core to that — core to that is the president delivering on his fundamental conviction.

When he was running for office, the president often said, “When I see climate, I see jobs.” Since the beginning of his administration, he’s made that a focal point in climate. It’s what’s helped us put all these points on the board. Even today, governors will come together to announce a goal to train another million folks into registered apprenticeships that deliver on the climate workforce that we need to build this clean energy future.

Tomorrow is an opportunity to deliver that decisive decade halftime report to show the progress we’ve made, the points we put on the board, and the path ahead. And President Biden will do that eloquently and in a way, I think, that will hopefully activate and animate accelerated action not just here but around the world.

And for that, let me hand it over to my partner in all of this, the president’s international climate adviser, John Podesta.

MR. PODESTA: Thanks, Ali. And — and thanks to everyone for joining at the beginning of this action-packed Climate Week. And if you’re actually in New York, the traffic-packed Climate Week.

Over the past four years, President Biden and Vice President Harris have pursued the most ambitious and successful climate agenda in history, both domestically and internationally.

We know that the climate crisis is a global problem and that no one country alone can solve it but that U.S. leadership on this issue is critical for bringing the world together.

That’s why President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement on day — day one. It’s why he set a bold goal to cut U.S. emissions by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and backed that goal up with action through the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate and clean energy in the world, as Ali just went through. And it’s why he convened three leaders summits on climate, ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Mo- — Montreal Protocol to phase down super-polluting hydrofluorocarbons.

Over the past four years, this resurgence of U.S. leadership on global climate action has yielded real results.

We’ve raised ambition from countries and companies around the world through the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions 30 percent by 2030, with now 158 countries and the EU signing on.

At COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, the United States successfully galvanized the world to commit, for the first time, to transition away from unabated fossil fuels; to stop building new unabated coal capacity globally; to triple renewable energy globally by 2030, to double the level of efficiency by 2030, and to triple nuclear energy by 2050.

We’ve remained focused on climate finance, which is the biggest topic of discussion at this year’s COP29 in Azerbaijan.

President Biden pledged to work with Congress to quadruple U.S. international public climate finance to over $11 billion per year by 2024. And we’re on track to deliver on that commitment. That includes over $3 billion per year for adaptation under the president’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, or the so-called PREPARE program, which will help a half a billion people worldwide adapt to and manage climate impacts, including sea level rise, storms, droughts, and food insecurity.

The next few months are crucial for our international climate agenda — from COP16 on biodiversity in Cali to the G20 in Rio to COP29 in Baku, and, of course, this week in New York.

This week and throughout this fall, we’ll continue to work with our allies and partners around the world to raise ambitions; unlock additional climate finance from the private sector, multilateral development banks, and public sources; accelerate the deployment of clean energy by driving innovation and lowering costs; reversing and finally ending deforestation; and help more vulnerable countries and communities adapt to a changing climate.

Here’s the bottom line: Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, we’re on the right path here in the U.S. and around the world. We have to accelerate our progress toward our collective climate goals, and I think the president will be calling on other leaders of the world, as he did over the weekend in the new announcements on clean cooling and the clean energy industrial fellowship we entered into with India, to get that job done.

Thank you. And I’ll turn it back over to Angelo.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, John. And we will move to the question-and-answer portion. Please use the “raise hand” function on Zoom, and we will call on you. As you are called on, please identify yourself and your outlet.

Okay, we will begin with Lisa. You should be unmuted now.

Q    Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for doing this this morning.

John, you mentioned that the president will be calling on — on other leaders. You know, this is a very international audience this week. Already, countries have seen the United States leave and join and leave and join global efforts to fight climate change. What will the president’s message be to world leaders who are worried about what a Trump administration would bring on climate and maybe don’t know whether the U.S. can be trusted to be a long-term partner?

I guess, related, do you expect President Biden to — to speak directly about former President Trump?

MR. PODESTA: Lisa, you know, in my current role, I can’t talk about politics. (Laughs.) But I think it’s clear that the track record from the previous administration vers- — which pulled out of Paris, abandoned the — the partnership that we had around the globe, reversed a number of actions that President Obama had taken on climate change versus the record that we just laid out is clearly of concern and interest to people around the world.

All I can tell you is the president has demonstrated that you can produce strong economic growth, create good-paying jobs, reach all areas of the country in this — in this task of decarbonizing our economy.

And that’s the message I think he’s sending to global re- — leaders: This is doable. We can invest in the — these new technologies. We can put people to work doing the work that needs to be done, and it’s going to be good for your publics.

So, I think that in — in his speech to — to UNGA, he will, I think, reflect on that record, and I’m sure the — the alternatives will be implicit.

MR. ZAIDI: Look, what I’d add to that — this is Ali — is you’ve seen the politics of climate inaction deteriorate in Congress. House Republicans have put up nearly 50 votes to roll back President Biden and Vice President Harris’ historic climate efforts. They failed. They failed even within their own caucus: Now a dozen and a half members calling on their own leadership to wrap up these efforts, to go in a U-turn direction, because they see the economic case for climate action.

Part of the reason the president has been successful — and as he speaks to this tomorrow, he will point out — is this new formula on climate action, which is focused on driving investment in U.S. manufacturing and U.S. infrastructure, and that has resulted in unprecedented and successful job creation all across the country in blue districts and in red.

So, the politics of inaction are deteriorating. The case for a U-turn is weak and fragile and falling apart. But the haste to go bold and accelerate climate action, we’re seeing the results from that; that’s strengthening.

And, you know, Lisa, you mentioned, there are a lot of leaders from around the world here in New York. There are also a lot of leaders from industry and big investors here in New York, and they’re paying attention to one thing and one thing only, and that is: In the United States, the case for investing in clean energy has never been stronger. The economics for climate action are irresistible here in the United States. And that’s going to cascade around the world as we accelerate progress in this decisive decade.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, Ali. We will go to Kemi next. You should be unmuted now.

Q    Hello. Can you guys hear me? Hello?

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Yes.

Q    Okay. Thank you. Sorry. En route to New York.

I wanted to ask if you can talk about the multilateral (inaudible) boosting climate financing for developing countries as well as how the U.S., the administration will work with China, the number one polluters in the world. As — and your initiative also working with African nations.

Thank you.

MR. PODESTA: Well, thanks — thanks for the question. I — at the bilateral level, I laid out a — at the front end of my remarks, the president’s commitment to increasing climate finance across the board and reach communities across the globe.

We’ve succeeded in — in meeting the targets that the president did at — in his UNGA speech in 2021. I want to underscore that. That’s where he said we will quadruple our climate finance from the historically high level that President Obama produced. It was actually substantially more than that if you compare it to the last years under President Trump. And we’re on track to do that.

Where I’m engaged in events here to try to track additional private-sector investment into the adaptation space, noting — I noted the PREPARE program that the president has put forward, which is going to provide a — help and service to half a billion people across the globe.

We’re engaged, I think, with the — the i- — the discussion right now to increase the national cumulative qualified goal that’s, as I noted, part of what’s most important on the agenda in Baku. Those conversations are continuing, but we’ve seen a substantial increase in climate finance coming through the multilateral development banks and other sources.

It’s going to take the effort of all of us to go from the billions of dollars of — hundreds of billions of dollars of public support that we’ve seen to, really, the trillion dollars of need that are necessary to build sustainable energy systems across the globe.

And so, I think, again, in his conversations with — with global leaders, he hosted President Ruto of Kenya earlier this year, created a commitment to a bilateral partnership with the government of Kenya to build out supply chains there. We’re working with India and Tanzania to do the same thing across new supply chains in Africa.

So, I think the president is r- — is quite focused on this and will get a chance to speak to it both in the meetings that he’s holding on the side as well as in his main UNGA speech.

Q    Okay. If I can just quickly follow up on that. A lot of these developing countries are looking into carbon market. What is your response? What is your view regarding that?

MR. PODESTA: You know, earlier this summer, we issued a joint statement from the U.S. government on our views on the fact that those high-integrity carbon markets are a potentially strong source of finance for countries both to decarbonize the power sector. Secretary Kerry did a tremendous work on creating a new instrument, if you will, in that space as well as in — in agriculture and forestry.

But as we noted in that statement, there’s — there needs to be high integrity both on behalf of the sellers of carbon credits as well as on behalf of buyers in order to make these — these markets work and — and see those — that ability for carbon finance to flow through that channel. Without that, I think the market and — and I think we saw this in the last couple of years — it begins to lose faith that those — that the emissions reductions are real. In which case, I think people back off from making the commitments.

So, I think it’s really critical to make sure that these markets are — have strong integrity, and we laid out the principles to make that happen.

MR. ZAIDI: I just want to add a little bit on how domestic action is, I think, enabling more ambition around the world.

First, there has been analysis, including from the Boston Consulting Group, on the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act in terms of technology cost reduction that actually improve the odds of scale-up around the world — everything from battery technology to clean hydrogen production through electrolyzers.

That technology is being de-risked as a result of the generational investment that President Biden has marshaled to take on the climate crisis here in the United States.

That’s going to have very significant implications around the world. One modeling projection done by the Rhodium Group shows that for every ton reduced here, we will see two or three reduced around the world, again, as the result of that technology de-risking.

The second is the platform de-risking. John talked about the voluntary carbon markets and the principles we laid out earlier this summer to help high-integrity scale-up of that platform.

The investment the United States is making, for example, through the Department of Agriculture in measurement, monitoring, and verification regimes, or through the EPA and the Department of Energy in the utilization of satellite data to track methane leaks from industrial sources — those investments in satellite, in harnessing machine learning and artificial intelligence to take on climate change — those platform investments will de-risk those platforms for the rest of the world and I think help bring additional resources to the Global South.

And then there’s the role of the capital markets more broadly. In the United States, we are building muscle memory around new asset classes, and that’s going to accrue benefits to capital formation and project development all around the world.

So, look, there is the — there is the effort, I think, underway by G20 countries. The*28:59 — when the president was out at the last G20, he said, “I passed an Inflation Reduction Act. You should copycat that.” So, there are a lot of countries that are downloading the U.S. playlist on how to jam out on climate.

But there’s a second piece of it, which is the actions we’re taking here in the United States are de-risking technologies, they’re de-risking platforms, and they’re building the muscle memory to accelerate capital formation project development around the world.

Obviously, that all complements the very important development finance and multilateral work — work John talked about, but I do think this work domestically is going to echo around the world.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, Ali.

And our final question will come from Robin. You should be unmuted now.

Q    Hi. Can you hear me?

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Yes.

Q    Thanks so much for taking my call. I wondered if you could tell us — I know the president told his Cabinet to “sprint to the finish.” I wonder if you can tell us what that’s going to mean on climate, if there’s anything else we can expect — big announcements on climate before the end of the term, and also how he’s thinking about climate when he’s approaching his legacy?

MR. ZAIDI: Robin, I think the president is thinking about climate the same way he has been from day one. When he thinks climate, he thinks jobs. And I know that sounds simple, but I think that’s been the driver of the political economy and the investment case around the country, and that continues to be the case.

You know, you’ll — you’ll see from the administration what you’ve seen from day one: a concerted focus on a sector-by-sector basis, each part of the economy.

In terms of developing new standards and rules that provide certainty to business and improve the investment climate around clean energy technologies, you will continue to see robust implementation from our agencies on the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act. On the broader investment agenda, making sure that those investments are turning in to impacts on the ground.

And you’ll see us do the important work of blocking and tackling to make sure our projects are getting built. Permitting, citing execution has been a focal point for the Biden-Harris administration from day one.

You know, this Cabinet meeting, the president talked about sprinting through the finish line, making sure that we’re building an irreversible momentum behind climate action. But I remember the last Cabinet meeting when he reminded the Cabinet that these laws, these standards, these investments were only as good as the impact they were making on the ground. So, he continues to be relentlessly focused on implementation, on execution, on getting things built.

And that goes to the point I made at the top. This is no longer a theoretical playbook. You could see it as points on the scoreboard today: A hundred gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States under the Biden-Harris administration. That’s going to be our focus. That’s where we continue to spend our time.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: Thanks, Ali.

And that is all the time we have today. Thank you, again, to our speakers and to all of you for joining.

As a reminder, this call and the materials you all received over email or will receive over email will be embargoed until 1:00 P.M. Eastern today.

Thanks again for joining us.

10:20 A.M. EDT

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Europe: Climate COP Troïka “Roadmap to Mission 1.5: Driving the next generation of climate action and ambition” – Address by Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (26.09.24)

Source: Republic of France in English
The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

Ministers,

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

Ambassadors,

Colleagues,

This year, we were convened for a Summit of the Future. Actually, what we are talking about is a threat of the present time: climate change kills, climate change impoverishes and climate change destroys.

I would like to thank the Climate COP Presidencies Troika for convening us today to make progress in the fight against this scourge.

We owe it to all our populations, all of our fellow citizens, to be effective. Therefore, we need to set a clear course. The 1.5°C goal is our compass. That is a demanding goal but not one that is totally beyond our reach. If we hope to achieve it, we must take action immediately. And to prepare, at the latest by the Belem COP, enhanced nationally determined contributions that are commensurate with the issue. We need to implement the Paris Agreement.

Significant strides were made at COP28 when it was jointly decided to phase out fossil fuels. That was vital but it is also vital to actually make this transition in concrete terms.

France and its European partners are working with determination, which involves a considerable effort to deploy low-carbon and low-emission energy technologies. France has committed to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045 and gas by 2050. We call on all Parties to set out and comply with timelines to phase out fossil energy sources. The G7 has started to do this with the phasing out of coal. It needs to do more and other big emitters should follow suit.

At COP29, an ambitious new climate finance goal needs to be adopted to support developing countries.

France has fully contributed to the current collective USD 100 billion goal, providing a record €7.6 billion of climate finance in 2022, including €2.6 billion dedicated to adaptation, and €7.1 billion in 2023. Every time we have contributed high and above commitments taken nationally, surpassing goals.

Now that we have collectively achieved the USD 100 billion goal, it is time for a financing boost. That is what French President Emmanuel Macron proposed in Paris in June 2023 with the Paris Pact for Peoples and the Planet. All the finance sources – public, private and innovative instruments – need to be mobilized.

The ambitious road map set out in the Paris Pact for Peoples and the Planet has produced tangible progress for the climate. I am thinking of the climate-resilient debt clauses implemented by the World Bank and its peers, as well as the international taxation task force launched at COP28 that Brazil has joined today.

COP30 in Belem is crucial and we must now begin preparing for it with determination. I call on all Parties to publish nationally determined contributions that reflect the decisions made at COP28. They should be ambitious, cover all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases, be science-based and rooted in a timeline to phase out of fossil fuels.

EU Member States are currently working on defining our 2040 climate target based on a European Commission proposal of a 90% cut in emissions. The EU will continue to show the highest possible ambition to deliver on our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.

France stands with Brazil to make COP30 the COP of ambition. All our diplomatic firepower will be focused on this goal, alongside all our partners and the United Nations.

And I am pleased to announce that we will host a high-level event in early 2025 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement. There is only one way forward and that is to scale up the level of ambition on a par with the legitimate expectations of our populations. Let us not get distracted.

Thank you.

MIL OSI Europe News –

September 29, 2024