Guterres urges climate action, justice and finance for developing countries

New York, USA, September 23, 2026 — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for deeper emissions cuts, climate justice and adequate financial support for developing countries as he addresses his final UN climate summit before the end of his term.

Speaking at a high-level event at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday, Guterres said urgent and effective action was needed to curb rising temperatures. He also accused the fossil fuel industry of treating the environment like an “open sewer.”

The event is bringing together leaders and representatives from major economies, developed and developing countries, vulnerable nations and major energy producers and consumers to discuss climate action and a just energy transition.

Guterres said five major Western oil companies had made about USD 500 billion in profits since Russia invaded Ukraine, while climate finance mobilized to help developing countries adapt to rising temperatures stood at about USD 34 billion.

He has argued that the gap between the scale of climate impacts and the financial resources available to developing countries must be addressed through stronger international cooperation and climate finance.

The call comes as climate-related risks intensify around the world, from increasing heat and wildfires in Europe to destructive flooding linked to melting glaciers in Nepal and Tibet. Scientists have warned that a temporary rise above the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold could further increase the risk of extreme weather events.