BELEM, Brazil — U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres issued a compelling call for compromise and flexibility during the final days of the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil. Addressing negotiators on Thursday, Guterres emphasized the urgency of delivering tangible results, even if they fall short of the most ambitious measures sought by some nations. “We are down to the wire, and the world is watching Belem,” he declared, urging participants to engage in good faith despite the missed deadline for progress on key issues earlier in the week. The summit, which often extends beyond its two-week schedule, has drawn global attention as communities on the front lines of climate change demand action. Guterres highlighted the plight of those affected by flooding, failed harvests, and lost livelihoods, stating, “They’ve heard enough excuses and demand results.” On contentious topics such as phasing out fossil fuels and providing financial aid to poorer nations, Guterres expressed confidence in the possibility of compromise, rejecting the notion that weaker measures equate to failure. He also called on wealthy nations to significantly increase adaptation finance, tripling it from $40 billion to $120 billion annually, to help vulnerable countries cope with climate-induced disasters. Earlier in the week, officials from disaster-stricken nations delivered emotional appeals for immediate action. Guterres stressed that while no delegation would achieve all its goals, every country, particularly major emitters, must contribute more. Key unresolved issues include delivering $300 billion in annual financial aid, strengthening climate plans, addressing trade barriers, and improving transparency in reporting progress. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago had set a Wednesday deadline for a package deal on these issues, but no agreement was reached. Over 80 countries have advocated for a detailed roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, a topic that remains contentious despite a general agreement at the previous COP in Dubai. Guterres referenced this agreement but stopped short of committing to a detailed plan, a stance that contrasts with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s earlier push for specificity. The summit continues under mounting pressure to deliver meaningful climate action.
UN secretary general urges nations at climate talks to be flexible to get results
