UN climate chief: COP31 must deliver outcomes that show climate multilateralism remains strong; despite global turmoil

The following is a transcript of remarks delivered by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell during the closing segment of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial on Thursday 21 May 2026.


This is another crucial year in a crucial decade for climate action.

And it has underscored the urgency of our task.

The Middle East conflict has ignited a fossil fuel cost crisis:

Demonstrating that the clean energy transition offers economic stability and energy security.

All while climate risks grow, shaping politics everywhere, in ways big and small.

We must harness the momentum to make this year, and this decade count. To get on track for 1.5 degrees - and all our Paris goals.

We have clear milestones - on finance, mitigation, and adaptation - for 2030 and 2035.

By the time we meet at COP33 for the second global stocktake, we must be closer to meeting them:

Giving countries confidence to raise ambition further.

And that starts this year:

We must make maximum progress at the June Climate meetings in Bonn.

So that we come to COP31 ready to advance and deliver outcomes:

Showing that despite global turmoil, climate multilateralism remains strong:

That our process is helping Parties to accelerate implementation and unlock ambition.

We must focus on driving real economy action - faster:

Elevating the Action Agenda in our process so that it takes centre-stage complementary to the negotiations.

This vital part of the Paris Agreement can deliver impressive real-economy results.

We must aim for concrete outcomes this year. Particularly in areas where the urgency is greatest and our impact can be strongest. And that includes:

Investment in grids and electrification;

Methane reduction;

Resilient cities;

And food security.

Alongside developed countries' finance obligations, the Action Agenda can play a vital role in delivering the roadmap to $1.3 trillion - which must become a reality.

And we are keenly watching developments on the COP30 Presidency Roadmaps, and importantly how our Australian friends will steward us on delivering on our major negotiated outcomes, such as Just Transition, and generating political momentum and resolving unnecessary long-standing issues such as access to finance.

Over these vital years, we also need the most ambitious among you taking the lead - coming together to make progress further and faster than consensus allows.

The world will follow.

And you will reap the rewards.

I thank you.