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By Michelle Nichols
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 19 (Reuters) – U.N. Chief Antonio Guterres said on Monday he will convene a “no-nonsense” climate ambition summit in September next year, urging leaders from government, business, civil society and finance to step up with “new, tangible and credible” action.
Guterres also said he “will not relent in the pursuit of peace in Ukraine in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.” A key principle of the founding U.N. Charter is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Speaking at his year-end news conference, Guterres said he is “not optimistic” about the possibility of effective Ukraine peace talks in the immediate future and believes the military confrontation will go on, but added that he “strongly hopes” peace can be reached in Ukraine in 2023.
He also said he will keep pushing for a climate solidarity pact that would require big emitters to make an extra effort to reduce emissions this decade and ensure support for those who need it.
Countries are under pressure to ensure emissions are cut in half by 2030 and down to net-zero by 2050 – the only path to holding global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“I will convene a climate ambition summit in September 2023. I call on every leader to step up,” he said.
“The invitation is open. But the price of entry is non-negotiable — credible, serious and new climate action and nature-based solutions that will move the needle forward and respond to the urgency of the climate crisis. It will be a no-nonsense summit,” Guterres said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols, editing by Deepa Babington)
