20 OF THE BEST SPEECHES AT UNGA THAT BROUGHT THE CLIMATE CHANGE STORY HOME
UNGA
Each September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) transforms New York into the world’s political epicentre. For most issues it is symbolic pageantry, but on climate change it carries particular weight. No other stage gives every country, from the most powerful economies to the smallest island states, an equal microphone to call out injustice, demand action, and frame the global agenda. As global leaders gather in New York this week, just a few days to COP30, we thought it would be good to take a walk back to the annals of history, and remind you of the powerful sentiments that echoed throughout the world on climate change, justice, and the human connection.
Here, 20 of the best, in no particular order:
“How much more global temperature rise must there be before we end the burning of fossil fuels? How much more evidence do we need before we match the scale of the crisis with the scale of our response?”
- Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. 24 September 2021.
“Populations and nations which are least responsible for the climate crisis are already suffering severely from its impacts, and are least able to finance the necessary transition. Developed countries must do their part and fulfill what they agreed; assume their share of the common but differentiated responsibility, provide assistance for mitigation and adaptation and compensation for loss and damage.”
- Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka. 23 September 2023.
“For the Pacific, climate change has been identified as a threat to peace and security. The reality is that no country is exempt from the impact of climate change and no nation can address it alone. We in the Pacific directly bear the brunt of climate change on our coastlines, our communities, our livelihoods, our security, and indeed, our very statehood and identity.”
- Sitiveni Rabuka, Prime Minister of Fiji. 23 September 2023.
“Climate change has become an existential threat not only to the lives of people in island states, but the world as a whole.”
- Danny Faure, President of Seychelles. 25 September 2019.
“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and the last generation that can do something about it.”
- Barack Obama, President of the United States. 23 September 2014.
“Humanity needs to grow up and deal with the issue of climate change. Weare on the edge of a decision which will determine the fate of the world.”
- Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 24 September 2019.
“When it comes to climate disruption, there are no free-riders. The Paris Agreement is not up for renegotiation. We must be clear on the meaning of a just transition and eradicate coal; the crisis must not steer us off course.”
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France. 25–26 September 2018.
“We are working to ensure our gradual transition from climate vulnerability to climate resilience. I would like to urge the Finance Ministers, Development Partners, International Financial Institutions, and Multi-lateral Development Banks to find out innovative financing solutions forclimate prosperity.”
- Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh. 24September 2021.
“Climate change is a human-induced phenomenon. It is now imperative that we must step up our collective climate actions. Africa and other developing nations produce a small proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, yet we are the hardest hit by the consequences of climate change.”
- Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria. 23 September 2019 and repeated in 2022.
“Many countries now bear witness to the unsettling phenomena of rivers, canals and water reservoirs that are drying up on account of droughts and heatwaves occasioned by climate change… 3.1 million residents of these ASALs are now severely food-insecure on account of scarce rainfall over three consecutive seasons.”
- William Ruto, President of Kenya. 21 September 2022.
“Climate change is humanity’s greatest threat—rapidly eroding decades of progress, diverting resources from development to emergency relief and hampering countries’ abilities to adapt. Wealthier, high-emission countries must fulfil their financial commitments, particularly for adaptation where funding gaps continue to grow.”
- Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives. 24 September 2024.
“The poor and vulnerable are paying the price of actions they did notcause; the injustices of climate change require not only words butcompensation, aid and solidarity from wealthier nations.”
- Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of SriLanka. 20–24 September 2022.
“This summit provides a unique opportunity for us to work together to address climate change and its impacts, which is an undeniable issue of concern to the international community. The increase in global warming is an indication that we face a crisis of global proportions. Excellencies, the world is experiencing new and unusual climate variability due to increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Even though Africa contributes very little to global warming, the socio-economic consequences of climate change spare no nation. The burden is just as overwhelming for developing countries.”
- Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria. 29 September 2015.
“Like our neighbours in the South Pacific and other SIDS, we see the bright future we have charted for ourselves dimmed by the prospect of climate change and sea-level rise. It is simply not acceptable for advanced economies to build a high standard of living based on the degradation of the Earth and the seas. The time for excuses is over.”
- Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji. 30 September 2015.
“Many challenges still remain. Especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). We are the sentinels of nature and the guardians of our oceans. But the action of inaction, as the case may be — of others threaten our livelihood and very existence.”
- James Alix Michel, President of Seychelles. 30 September 2015.
“We are the guardians of two-thirds of this blue planet’s surface. We must act accordingly. This issue is bigger than all of us, and we cannot wait for the next generation to solve it. We are running out of excuses to not take action, and running out of time.”
- Danny Faure, President of Seychelles. 25 September 2019.
“We hope that the world’s worst emitters of greenhouse gases, that are threatening the welfare of all mankind, will also come to the realization that in the end it will profit them little to emerge king over a world of dust.”
- AliIrfaan Ali,President of Guyana. 21 September 2021.
“Both people and planet stand on the brink of climate catastrophe. The poor and vulnerable people, who have contributed the least to climate change, are disproportionately bearing its brunt. This is unjust and unacceptable. We call for stronger leadership and meaningful cooperation to overcome these disparities. The theme of this session — ‘Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity’ — resonates well with this need.”
- KP Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal. 26 September 2024.
“Climate change is humanity’s greatest threat. It rapidly erodes decades of progress, diverts scarce resources from development to emergency relief, and hampers our ability to adapt. We need an immediate, science-based response ,bolstered by determination and adequate resources. Wealthier, high-emission countries must fulfil their financial commitments, particularly in supporting adaptation measures where the gaps are widening. Without this, our people are left on the frontline of a crisis they did not cause.”
- Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives. 24 September 2024
“For the Climate Crisis, the starting point is three words: Fulfil Your Pledge. It’s been over ten years since the developed nations that polluted our planet the most pledged one hundred billion dollars towards climate mitigation and adaptation. These are nations that tell the rest of us to follow their example. Nations that tell us to consider them friends. Nations that call us corrupt and untrustworthy when we say one thing and do another. Nations that tell us that they are the leaders in this global village. Well, it’s time to show that leadership. Fulfil Your Pledge. Mind you, this is not a donation. This is a cleaning fee, because if you pollute the planet we all call home, itis only right that you should pay to clean it up. So Fulfil Your Pledge. No ifs, no buts, no ands.”
- Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi. 23 September 2021.
