Europe Asia News

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated during his speech at the COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya that the climate crisis was spiraling out of control and that emissions in 2025 had reached their highest level on record.

Emphasizing that the first duty in addressing the climate crisis is to tell the truth, Guterres said the painful reality was that the climate crisis was outpacing their efforts, while fossil fuel interests continued to profit as the world was being destroyed.

The UN Secretary-General stated that exceeding the target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius had now become inevitable, but stressed that science demanded not surrender, but a more determined and vigorous fight.

Guterres highlighted the need to end dependence on fossil fuels, ensure a just transition, protect people, and make sure developed countries fulfill their financial commitments. He also emphasized that those making the greatest profits should bear the costs of the crisis.

Guterres added that even though his term of office would end next year, he would never stop speaking the truth or give up this fight.