DUBAI (Reuters) -World leaders from nearly 200 countries were due to address the U.N. climate summit underway in Dubai, where their countries’ delegations are assessing their progress toward meeting global climate goals.
Here are the latest comments:
TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN:
“While discussing the climate crisis, we cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Palestinian territories right beside us. The Israeli attacks that have claimed the lives of over 16,000 innocent Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are children and women, can in no way be justified.”
POPE FRANCIS (In a post on X):
“At this historic moment, we are called to take responsibility for the legacy we will leave behind after our time in this world. If we do not act now, climate change will increasingly harm the lives of millions of people.”
KENYA PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO:
“The long standing adversarial dynamic between global north and global south proves practically counterproductive. This division has hindered our ability to unite and leverage our collective strength, and robs us of tremendous opportunities. Yet, in the face of a threat that endangers the health of our planet, and our very existence, we must find in collective action a force that neutralises and transcends these divisions. Climate change does not respect artificial distinctions, traditional boundaries or old antagonisms. Instead, it should unite us against a shared borderless challenge.”
“Turning Africa into a green powerhouse is not just essential for the continent, it is also vital for global industrialization (and) decarbonisation.”
JORDAN’S KING ABDULLAH:
“This year’s conference of the parties must recognize even more than ever that we cannot talk about climate change in isolation from the humanitarian tragedies unfolding around us.
“As we work to catch up on the lost time and progress, we cannot forget the most vulnerable. Conflict ridden communities, refugees and developing countries must not be left alone to face a global problem. Nor can we stand by as the massive destruction of a relentless war in Gaza threatens more people and holds back progress towards a better global future. Current and future generations will hold us all accountable.”
INDIA PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI (via translator):
“Friends, we do not have much time to correct the mistakes of the last century. Over the past century, a small section of humanity has indiscriminately exploited nature. However, entire humanity is paying the price for this, especially people living in the global south.”
“We must resolve that every country shall fulfil the climate targets it is setting for itself and the commitments it is making.”
BRAZIL PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA:
“We are facing what is perhaps the greatest challenge humanity has ever encountered. Instead of joining forces, the world wages war, fuels divisions and deepens poverty and inequality.”
“If we don’t put our differences aside in the name of the greater good, life on the planet will be in danger and it will be too late too cry.”
KING CHARLES III:
“I pray with all my heart that COP28 will be another critical turning point towards transformational action at a time when, already, as scientists have been warning for so long, we are seeing alarming tipping points being reached.”
“Unless we rapidly repair and restore nature’s economy, based on harmony and balance, which is our ultimate sustainer, our own economy and survivability will be imperilled.”
U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES:
“We cannot save a burning planet with a fire hose of fossil fuels… The 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce. Not abate.”
“I urge governments to help industry make the right choice – by regulating, legislating, putting a fair price on carbon, ending fossil fuel subsidies, and adopting a windfall tax on profits.”
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(Reporting by William James, Elizabeth Piper, Katy Daigle and Richard Valdmanis)
