"Climate and Multilateralism" joint panel at the 11th World Peace Forum

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I stand before you today to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change. The world we inhabit is facing unprecedented risks from climate change, risks that extend beyond the environmental realm and into the very fabric of our societies. The need for urgent action is clear, and it is through multilateral cooperation that we can effectively tackle this crisis and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Climate change knows no borders. Its impacts are felt by every nation, every community, and every individual on this planet. From rising temperatures and sea levels to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, we are witnessing consequences that go beyond the environmental realm. They disrupt economies, displace communities, and exacerbate social and political tensions. It is a multidimensional challenge that demands a multilateral response.

In this context, the United Nations stands as the key facilitator for global cooperation. As the largest multilateral organization, the UN plays a pivotal role in addressing climate change and its far-reaching implications. Under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the UN has taken significant steps to strengthen the global architecture for climate action and sustainable development. The establishment of the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, tasked with developing recommendations to strengthen the multilateral system, including climate change, is a testament to the UN's commitment to collective action.

Just a few months ago, two members of the Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism to the UN Secretary-General had the opportunity to brief the international community in Beijing, in an event co-hosted by Slovenia and the United Nations in China. This exchange of ideas and expertise highlights the global nature of climate change and the need for international collaboration. It is through such multilateral engagement that we can harness the collective wisdom and resources of nations to address the challenges we face.

China, as a major global actor, has a crucial role to play in confronting global climate change. China's efforts in renewable energy deployment, emissions reduction, and sustainable development have been commendable. The nation has made significant strides in transitioning to a low-carbon economy, investing heavily in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

China's commitment to carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 is a testament to its determination to combat climate change.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Just this week I joined the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed on a visit to the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia. We saw firsthand how desert afforestation transforms lives with far-reaching environmental, social, and economic benefits. Large-scale multipurpose afforestation initiatives have significantly altered the ecosystem. These projects have resulted in much-needed job creation for the local community, food security & lifted entire communities out of poverty. The school we visited in Kubuqi is a model of excellence where we met children who can pursue their dreams. Desert forests strengthen the resilience of nearby areas to natural hazards, silting, reduce soil erosion, and alleviate the effects of sandstorms. By integrating big data, technology, and innovation, the Kubuqi afforestation project demonstrated that we can create a sustainable future for both people and the planet. This amazing initiative has the potential to be replicated in other parts of the world where rapidly increasing desertification is exacerbating the potential of reaching the SDGs. Ms Mohammed remarked that “Kubuqi afforestation project has demonstrated that turning the desert into wealth is possible.”

However, along with its commendable efforts, China also faces unique challenges. As the world's most populous nation, it must balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. China's rapid industrialization and urbanization have placed immense pressure on its natural resources and ecosystems. As such, China must navigate the delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation. Through multilateral cooperation, China can collaborate with other nations, sharing knowledge and experiences to find sustainable solutions.

I take this opportunity to commend Tsinghua University and the Chinese People's Institute on Foreign Affairs for convening the World Peace Forum and annual event, which demonstrates China's commitment to international cooperation in addressing issues that require a global, multilateral response, including climate change.

Today, we gather here in this panel discussion to explore the necessity of multilateral responses if we hope to achieve the commitments made by all countries in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The risks of not coming together to tackle this global challenge are severe. The impacts of climate change go beyond damage to the environment and amplifies many direct threats to human security. The consequences of climate change go beyond physical displacement; they can lead to social and political unrest, exacerbating tensions within and between nations.

Scientifically, the impacts of climate change are apparent. The most recent IPCC report indicates that from 1880 to 2012, the global average surface temperature of land and oceans has risen by 0.85°C. This increase has led to more frequent and more severe extreme weather and climate events – such as the devastating floods in Pakistan and increasing frequency and severity of forest fires which we saw last year from California to Chongqing  and in multiple parts of the world. Many factors in the ecosystem are facing sudden and even irreversible changes, and the probability of such changes will increase with the rise in global temperatures. Climate change and the resulting extreme weather events significantly increase the vulnerability and risks faced by all continental and marine ecosystems and human societies. The number of deaths caused by extreme weather events is increasing. Climate warming expands the distribution range of vector-borne diseases, prolongs their transmission season, and increases their intensity. We are also seeing the alarming levels of  food insecurity. The impact of  climate change on public health and food insecurity is clear.

Climate change also poses a major challenge to the world's development, leading to rising sea levels and high tide hazards in coastal areas, increased frequency of extreme weather events that threaten infrastructure, heat and flooding in cities, exacerbating water scarcity and food production decline, potentially displacing millions of people in flood-prone and drought-ridden areas.

These interconnected challenges call for a comprehensive and collaborative approach. We need to strengthen international cooperation to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience in vulnerable communities. By working together, we can develop sustainable solutions, promote renewable energy, and implement effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. This requires a shared commitment to multilateralism, as no single nation can solve the climate crisis alone.

The UN in China is working to confront many of these climate-related challenges. The UNDP China Office is working closely with the Government of China, focusing on green sectors and partnerships with multilateral institutions and the UN for greater SDG impact. As one of the first agencies to partner with China on South-South Cooperation, UNDP has been actively engaging national counterparts at both policy and project levels to effectively incorporate international best practices and standards in advancing SDGs in partner countries.

Later this year, three key events will hopefully reinvigorate multilateral cooperation to combat climate change. In September, the Secretary-General of the United Nations will host the SDG Summit and the Climate Ambition Summit. The SDG Summit will mark the half-way point of the SDGs and will mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda, while the Climate Ambition Summit will respond to the Secretary-General’s call to accelerate climate action by focusing on three areas: ambition, credibility and implementation.

Finally, COP28 will take place at the end of the year and will include the global stocktake, which looks at the progress made towards achieving the Paris Agreement and its long-term goals. These three critical moments provide the opportunity for the world to come together to develop actions to address the climate crisis and to ensure a just transition to a low-carbon future.

As our discussion continues today, let us identify ways in which the multilateral system can respond to these challenges. Let us explore avenues for collaboration, innovation, and partnership to ensure the effective implementation of climate action plans. Let us prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities and build resilience in the face of climate change. Let us support the dissemination of green technologies and sustainable practices to foster sustainable development globally.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us always remember that climate change knows no borders, and our response to this crisis must reflect that reality. The United Nations, with its vast network of member states, its commitment to multilateralism, and its convening power, remains our most effective platform for collective action. Together, we can forge a sustainable future for all, where the threats of climate change are mitigated, and human development is safeguarded.

Thank you.