Apia, Samoa – 23rd August 2024
Opening Remarks
UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Samoa on 23 August 2024, addressing the urgent climate challenges facing the Pacific region. He praised Samoa’s resilience and highlighted the critical need for global action on climate change.
Speech
“Talofa,
I extend my thanks to the government and people of Samoa for their warm welcome.
Samoa is a close ally of the United Nations and a strong advocate for multilateralism. Your steadfast commitment to climate justice and the Sustainable Development Goals is commendable.
However, Samoa, like many Pacific nations, is grappling with rising prices, seas, and geopolitical tensions. The average rate of sea level rise has more than doubled since the 1990s. Today’s rate of increase is unprecedented in at least 3,000 years.
During my visit, I witnessed the significant threat that rising sea levels pose to Samoa and other Small Island Developing States. These challenges demand firm international action.
The climate crisis is the most severe threat to this region and the world. Despite contributing just 0.02% of global emissions, the Pacific is on the front lines, facing extreme weather events and rapid sea level rise.
People are suffering, and economies are being battered. Entire territories face the risk of disappearance.
This injustice is unacceptable.
But the Pacific islands are not just victims of climate change; they are leaders. Samoa has demonstrated extraordinary resilience through Fa’asamoa, and many countries in this region are at the forefront of climate ambition and action.
The world must match their efforts.
The fate of the Pacific depends on limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We need the G20 – the largest emitters – to phase out fossil fuels and end fossil fuel expansion immediately. All countries must update their national climate action plans by next year, aligning them with the 1.5-degree limit.
We also need substantial climate finance. In Samoa and around the world, lack of funding has put climate action and sustainable development on hold. We must simplify access to concessional finance and significantly increase the available sums. Multilateral Development Banks need to increase their lending capacity and leverage far more private finance for development at affordable rates.
Action on debt is also critical. Many developing countries are overwhelmed by debt, which limits their ability to invest in climate action.
We have approved the multi-dimensional vulnerability index. This index will allow countries like Samoa to access concessional funding and debt relief, which were previously unavailable due to their middle-income status.
The international community must honor its promises on climate finance, and this year’s COP must result in a strong finance outcome for the post-2025 period.
We also need global action to protect the ocean. The Pacific Ocean is being exploited, polluted, and degraded by climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing, and waste.
Pacific nations are global leaders in ocean stewardship, and the recent international Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction is a step in the right direction. I urge all countries to ratify this agreement to give the ocean and its people a fighting chance.
Climate chaos also brings security challenges. As international tensions rise, the Pacific must not become a battleground for geopolitical competition. The Pacific is best managed by Pacific islanders.
At the upcoming Summit of the Future, we must revitalize multilateral institutions and solutions. Greater representation of Pacific countries, especially in multilateral financial institutions, is essential.
On all these issues, the United Nations stands with the Pacific in calling for justice and change. We need massive increases in funding for adaptation in countries already suffering from climate change.
This is the message I will carry to the Pacific Island Forum in Tonga, the Summit of the Future, and the General Assembly in New York.”
Q&A Session
Question: “Your Excellency, as the UN Secretary-General, how can you help our country and the Pacific fight climate change?”
Answer: “First, by raising our voice. The UN consistently advocates for aligning policies with the 1.5-degree target and reducing emissions drastically. We are also pushing for climate justice, including the new Loss and Damage Fund and doubling adaptation funding. We work closely with Small Island Developing States to ensure their vulnerabilities are recognized by international financial institutions.”
Question: “How does the UN ensure that climate finance is distributed equitably, reflecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities?”
Answer: “The UN does not distribute the funds directly, but we advocate for climate justice. We push for concessional funding, debt relief, and redistribution of special drawing rights for Small Island Developing States. We also emphasize the need for support, especially for countries hit hard by COVID-19 and struggling to recover, like Samoa.”
Question: “What are your impressions of Samoa, given this is your first visit?”
Answer: “Samoa’s extreme beauty is striking, but more importantly, its people’s warmth, the strength of its culture, and its rich history are deeply impressive.”
