15 October 2024

Mr. Chair,

“Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident.”[1] With these words, Pope Francis acknowledges, with a deep sense of urgency, that the climate crisis is not a distant threat, but a present and escalating challenge for our world.

The effects of climate change are devastating. Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and tropical storms are increasing in frequency and severity, causing unprecedented loss of life and livelihoods. Rising temperatures and environmental degradation are destabilizing ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss, food insecurity and mass displacement. Unfortunately, it is the poor and those in vulnerable situations who bear the brunt of these disasters.

“Responsibility for God’s earth means that human beings, endowed with intelligence, must respect the laws of nature and the delicate equilibria existing between the creatures of this world.”[2] In this spirit, my Delegation would like to emphasize three key points that must guide the collective response moving forward.

Firstly, each nation shares in the global responsibility to protect the climate for present and future generations. No country is immune from the effects of climate change, and no country can tackle its causes alone. International cooperation is essential and requires each country to do its part, starting by meeting its climate commitments. Delivering on climate commitments, supported by regular and transparent reporting, is a critical step towards achieving global climate goals. In this regard, we look forward to COP29 as a pivotal moment for renewed action and ambition.

Secondly, climate change is an issue of justice and solidarity. Countries with inherent vulnerabilities, including Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, and Landlocked Developing Countries contribute the least to the causes of climate change, yet suffer the most from its consequences. From the rising sea levels that threaten to permanently displace entire communities to extreme weather events that bring unprecedented destruction, those affected face increasing challenges in meeting their basic needs, including access to food, clean water and shelter. This situation, compounded by historical and structural injustices, demands urgent action. Developed Countries must live up to their commitments to provide financial and technical assistance, which must be easily accessible to the most affected.

Thirdly, the urgency of this crisis demands a cultural transformation. Pope Francis has pointed out that “there are no lasting changes without cultural changes.”[3] To protect our common home it is imperative that our efforts go beyond technical solutions or economic adjustments; we need a change in mindset, or better an “ecological conversion.” A recognition that care for the environment is inseparable from care for present and future generations. We are “called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption,”[4] and to embrace a more thoughtful and interconnected approach to people and the world around us. It also calls on leaders to act with foresight and compassion, prioritizing the needs of those in the most vulnerable situations while preserving the earth’s resources for future generations.

Mr. Chair,

With our global climate in peril, we are at a critical juncture. The choices we make today will determine the world we leave to future generations. Inaction will spell disaster. However, there is still hope. This hope lies in our ability to accept our responsibility and act decisively, to pursue a path of justice and solidarity, and to transform our relationship with each other and our planet. By embracing these actions, we can protect the planet for the common good of humanity and ensure that it remains a safe and habitable home for all people today and for generations to come.

Thank you.
 

[1] Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, 5.

[2] Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter Laudato si’, 68.

[3] Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, 70.

[4] Ibid.23.