Pope Francis calls on wealthy nations at COP29 to address "ecological debt" by forgiving poor countries' debts, fostering justice and solidarity in climate action.
During his speech at the annual Audience for Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on Thursday, Pope Francis highlighted that COP29 in Baku resulted in decisions to allocate increased financial resources for climate action.
“I trust that these will allow for the sharing of resources for the many countries greatly affected by the climate crisis and burdened by oppressive economic debt. With this in mind, I ask the wealthier nations to forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them. This is not simply an act of solidarity or generosity, but above all an act of justice, also in the light of a new form of inequality of which we are increasingly aware today: the "ecological debt" that exists particularly between the global North and South,” Pope Francis said.
“Also in light of this ecological debt, it is important to find effective ways to convert the external debt of poor countries into effective, creative and responsible policies and programmes to promote an integral human development,” he emphasized.
“The Holy See is prepared to accompany this process, in the knowledge that there are no longer any borders or barriers, political or social, behind which we can hide,” the Pope concluded.
At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted Azerbaijan’s climate leadership, unveiling the Baku to Belem Roadmap. The initiative aims to scale climate finance to $1.3 trillion by 2035, with global cooperation to support developing nations.
COP29 in Azerbaijan set key rules for carbon credit trading, boosting the global carbon market. Early adopters like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea aim to meet climate goals, while ASEAN explores a regional approach for emissions reduction and economic growth.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said reaching a peace agreement with the United States over the war in Ukraine remains difficult, as Moscow stands firm on its demands and vows never to return to economic dependence on the West.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Asian markets edged higher on Tuesday, lifted by gains in auto stocks after US President Donald Trump suggested he might ease tariffs on vehicles.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio by phone, discussing the situations in Syria, Gaza, and efforts for a Ukraine ceasefire, according to diplomatic sources.
NORAD has monitored a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, confirming it remained in international airspace and posed no threat.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The death toll from the catastrophic roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo has risen to 98, with more than 160 people injured, according to Dominican authorities.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
China has unveiled an ambitious expansion of its renewable energy programme, pledging major investment in solar and wind infrastructure to boost clean energy to 40% of its power mix by 2030—marking a decisive shift toward grid integration and nationwide deployment.
The inaugural Samarkand International Climate Forum will kick off on 4th April at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center in Uzbekistan. The high-profile forum will be held under the theme "Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Shared Prosperity."
Brazil has named automotive industry executive Dan Ioschpe as its official “climate champion” for the COP30 summit, to be held in Belém this November.
Belgium and Vietnam have signed agreements to collaborate on green hydrogen production during King Philippe’s historic visit to Hanoi.
The World Bank reported that air pollution leads to approximately 5.7 million deaths each year, with 95% of fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income nations. It also causes economic losses amounting to 5% of global GDP due to health impacts, productivity decline, and reduced life expectancy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said reaching a peace agreement with the United States over the war in Ukraine remains difficult, as Moscow stands firm on its demands and vows never to return to economic dependence on the West.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Asian markets edged higher on Tuesday, lifted by gains in auto stocks after US President Donald Trump suggested he might ease tariffs on vehicles.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio by phone, discussing the situations in Syria, Gaza, and efforts for a Ukraine ceasefire, according to diplomatic sources.
NORAD has monitored a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, confirming it remained in international airspace and posed no threat.
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