UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said progress in tackling the climate crisis, inequality and the negative impacts of new technologies is “going away” and urgent intervention is needed.
He said that the MoU for the future was passed on Sunday. (Pact for the Future), was the first important step in this direction. “The MoU is about prompting immediate action for the future,” he said.
Money and climate
The UN Secretary-General said the G20 countries must work together to build a more sustainable world, and for this they must reform the international financial system and tackle the climate crisis.
The UN chief said, “We need to undertake ambitious reforms of the international financial system, so that it fully represents the current global economy and ensures strong support for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN Secretary-General has called for stronger action to tackle the growing poverty burden and to establish financial systems that can reduce the costs of inequality faced by many communities.
Action is also critical to address the climate crisis, with record high temperatures rising and extreme weather events expected by 2024.
The UN Secretary General said the obvious solution is to reduce the use of fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy.
“Investment in clean energy in emerging economies other than China and India has barely increased since 2015,” the UN chief said.
“The transition to clean energy must be based on justice and equity, so that all countries can benefit from it,” he said.
Inclusive Global Institute
The UN Secretary-General emphasized the need to build inclusive institutions at the global level that “can address current and future challenges.”
He said, fair reforms are possible if there is fair and representative governance.
“The MoU for the future contains a commitment to make multilateral institutions more representative, effective, transparent and accountable,” the Secretary-General said.
A promise of cooperation
The UN top leader concluded his message to G20 ministers that the UN would continue its work as a host by calling for the summit in 2025 to “strengthen its convening role as an inclusive platform for dialogue and action” and for effective dialogue.
“I call on the G20 to take every opportunity to raise the ambition of global leadership and take transformative action to build a safer, more peaceful and sustainable world for all,” he said.