Guterres Calls for Climate Action at Pacific Forum

At the Pacific Islands Forum, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a global SOS on climate change, highlighting the severe impact of rising sea levels, ocean warming, and acidification on Pacific Islands. Guterres emphasized that the Pacific Islands, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, are uniquely vulnerable due to their low elevations and proximity to the ocean. He called for urgent global action to cut emissions, phase out fossil fuels, and provide financial support to vulnerable countries. The forum also addressed regional security concerns, climate resilience, and the need for collective action and policy implementation. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events continue to pose immediate threats to the territorial integrity, economy, and safety of these island nations. Concurrently, New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence warned of increasing and complex threats to national security, driven by military power and strategic competition, particularly from China.