COP 31: “Climate justice is the defining challenge of the next decade” (A. Guterres at Leaders' segment)

“Climate justice is the defining challenge of the next decade. We cannot demand that countries transform their economies while denying them the means to do so,” António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, said during the opening session of the Leaders' segment of COP31 in Antalya on 11 November 2026.

“Emerging and developing economies outside China are home to nearly two-thirds of humanity, yet they receive less than one-fifth of global clean energy investment. Most pay two to three times more to borrow. If they cannot access affordable clean energy, fossil fuels will fill the gap, locking in emissions for decades,” he continued.

According to him, a new climate justice compact is needed, based on “shared responsibility, shared security and shared benefits”.

In accordance with the principle of…