UN Secretary-General appealed  for an end to the fighting in Syria, where a recent escalation raises the risk of further division in the ongoing civil war. António Guterres held a stakeout outside the Security Council chamber to address the “grave and dramatic developments” that are unfolding. “I just spoke with President Erdoğan of Türkiye to discuss the latest,” he said. “I emphasized the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need – and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed.  All parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a strong call to action as COP29 approaches its crucial conclusion in Baku, imploring world leaders and negotiators to overcome their disagreements and reach an historic climate finance deal. “I sense an appetite for agreement,” he said. Having just returned from the G20 Summit in Rio, Mr. Guterres shared the resounding message he delivered there: an ambitious climate finance goal is not only essential, but urgent. “Failure is not an option,” he emphasized, warning that the result of inaction could be catastrophic.

As negotiations over how to tackle climate change head into their fifth day in Baku, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed solidarity with young climate advocates at COP29, who told him they are frustrated by the lack of political action on the crisis. “You have every right to be angry. I am angry too,” the UN chief posted on social media following his meeting with youth representatives and young environmental activists. “I am angry because we are on the verge of the climate abyss, and I don’t see enough urgency or political will to address the emergency.”

Climate talks at COP29 in Baku turned to the pressing issue of how to manage the demand for minerals essential to producing electric vehicles and solar panels without triggering a “stampede of greed” that exploits local communities and crushes the poor. “We are here to respond to a key challenge: turning the energy transition towards justice,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, asking the participants at a roundtable discussion to weigh in on the work of his Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. 

Secretary-General António Guterres called for countries to step up contributions to a financial mechanism to assist developing countries affected by climate change. Mr. Guterres made the appeal in remarks to a high-level dialogue on loss and damage funding during the COP29 UN climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. “In an era of climate extremes, loss and damage finance is a must,” he said. “I urge governments to deliver. In the name of justice.”