The following is a transcript of remarks by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell delivered at a press conference at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) on 18 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
These remarks are also available in Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian (coming soon).
Thank you for being here.
Entering the second week of this COP, it's a mixed picture.
It's been encouraging to see the significant strides forward, notably on carbon markets, making progress that previous COPs could not achieve.
There's more work to do of course, and I am certainly not complacent, there are still challenges ahead there.
The bottom line is we are a long way from halving global emissions this decade. So progress at COP29 is absolutely essential. And We must help countries pick up the pace over this final week.
We've also seen strong signals from two G20 economies already - UK and Brazil - that have just submitted their NDCs. They plan to ramp up climate action. And they are clear - they are doing so, because it's 100% in their economic interest to do so.
One less prominent, but really crucial tool in the Paris Agreement toolkit is the new Biennial Transparency Reports - which are due this year.
These reports are vital enabling tools for all governments to help build an evidence base for stronger climate policies over time.
And we have seen some submitted and more are on their way. And I commend those e front-runners.
But there is still a ton of work to do, to ensure COP29 delivers.
Parties need to be moving much faster towards landing zones.
This applies to the negotiations on the NQCG in particular.
I've been very blunt: climate finance is not charity; it is 100% in every nation's interest, to protect their economies and people from rampant climate impacts.
Parties must wrap up less contentious issues early in the week, so there is enough time for the major political decisions.
We've worked closely with the Presidency, who have just laid out a clear approach to getting us to the finish line.
Ministers who have just arrived need to roll up their sleeves and dive into the hardest issues.
The package is starting to take shape, with the NCQG as the key pillar.
I use the word 'package' very deliberately. Because if we want to succeed here we cannot afford to keep getting stuck in negotiating silos.
To put it another way, we can't lose sight of the forest because we're tussling over individual trees.
We also cannot afford any outbreak of 'you-first-ism'. Where groups of parties dig in and refuse to move on one issue, until others move elsewhere.
This is a recipe for going literally nowhere. And could see global climate efforts go backwards at a time when we simply must move forward.
We will only get the job done if Parties are prepared to step forward in parallel, getting us closer to common ground.
The bluffing, brinkmanship and pre-mediated playbooks are burning up precious time and running down the good will needed for an ambitious package.
So let's cut the theatrics and get down to the real business this week.
Yes, there are headwinds, every one of us knows that, but lamenting them won't make them go away. And now is the time to be focusing on the solutions.
I know we can get this done. The Presidency is working round the clock, with diligence, determination and even-handedness.
The secretariat will continue to be the steady guide by their side, whilst also supporting Parties, with a focus on inclusivity. Civil society is here in force, urging Parties on and keeping this COP in the global spotlight.
And crucially, there is an incredible depth of experience, wisdom and determination among delegates. I urge everyone - now's the time to put that to work.
