UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on world leaders to urgently step up climate efforts ahead of COP30, stressing that the planet faces deepening threats from worsening environmental disasters.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded accelerated global climate action Wednesday and urged world leaders to deliver ambitious commitments ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil later this year.
"We don’t have a moment to lose," Guterres said at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York after a high-level climate meeting, adding the world must act swiftly to avert climate disaster.
Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva convened 17 heads of state, including leaders from China, the European Union and climate-vulnerable nations.
The meeting included representatives from key regional blocs such as the African Union, ASEAN and the Alliance of Small Island States.
"It was among the most diverse meetings of heads of state focused exclusively on climate in some time," said Guterres. Despite the crises, he noted a shared commitment by leaders to accelerate climate action.
"No region is being spared from the ravages of accelerating climate catastrophes," he said. "The crisis is deepening poverty, displacing communities, and fueling conflict and instability."
Guterres emphasized that renewable energy is "the pathway out of climate hell."
He urged countries to enhance their national climate plans before COP30 in November and called for increased support for developing nations.
"At COP30, leaders must deliver a credible roadmap to mobilize $1.3 trillion a year for developing countries by 2035," he said.
"We cannot, must not, and will not let up on climate action," Guterres added.
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Southern European countries are preparing for another wave of scorching temperatures on Wednesday, having barely recovered from last month's heatwave. France, Italy, Spain and Portugal are all expected to face extreme heat, while wildfire risks remain high.
Wildfires are continuing to burn across southern Europe, forcing people from their homes, damaging property and stretching emergency services as high temperatures and dry conditions create ideal conditions for fast-moving fires.
France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the severe heatwave that swept across Europe, according to the country's public health agency, which warned the final toll is likely to rise.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
What began as a fan-created chant just months ago has become one of the defining images of this year's FIFA World Cup, with Norway's "Viking Row" sweeping through stadiums, city streets and social media.
China has issued its highest-level rainstorm warning as Typhoon Bavi approaches the country’s eastern coast, prompting large-scale evacuations and emergency preparations across several provinces amid fears of severe flooding and landslides.
As a wildfire swept through the mountains toward rural Andalusian villages near Los Gallardos in southern Spain, residents faced a life-or-death decision. They had to choose between sheltering from the smoke or risking evacuation through rapidly spreading flames.
Typhoon Bavi pummelled Japan's southern Sakishima island chain with heavy rain and violent winds on Saturday as it headed towards Taiwan, prompting authorities to warn of the risks of floods and landslides.
Known for its rich history and mountain landscapes, Azerbaijan's Gabala district is attracting visitors with another seasonal highlight. Vast lavender fields are becoming a key attraction in the region's growing agritourism sector.
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities urged residents to stock up on supplies and brace for what could be the most powerful typhoon since 2024.
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