Speaking at the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, Guterres noted that the planet’s temperature will exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius limit, making it essential to reduce this indicator.

He specified that the G20 accounts for approximately 80% of global emissions and must achieve significant reductions in the coming decades.

In the oil sector, he continued, Africa possesses 60% of the world’s greatest solar potential and could become a clean energy powerhouse. However, he emphasized, it receives only two percent of global investment in this sector and contributes virtually nothing to addressing the environmental crisis.

He warned that the continent is facing faster-than-average warming. Adaptation must be a priority and requires developed countries to triple their funding and mobilize the $1.3 trillion annually allocated to developing nations by 2035, he added.

The UN Secretary-General urged increased funding for loss and damage, an accelerated just, orderly, and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, expanded early warning systems, and ensuring that African countries benefit first and fully from their critical minerals.

This last point should be made possible through fair and sustainable value chains and manufacturing, in accordance with the recommendations of the UN panel on critical minerals for the energy transition. No more exploitation, no more plunder, he stressed.

He reiterated that African peoples must benefit from their resources.

abo/arm/jha/nmr