Geneva: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged urgent action to confront accelerating climate challenges through the adoption and financing of early warning systems. He stressed the importance of reaching an agreement at the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Brazil this November on a plan to mobilize 1.3 trillion dollars annually by 2035 to help developing countries adapt to climate change and strengthen resilience.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Guterres spoke at the High-Level Event on Early Warnings for All during the Extraordinary Session of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Congress in Geneva, marking its 75th anniversary. He called on developed nations to honor their commitment to double adaptation finance to at least 40 billion dollars this year and to activate innovative financial mechanisms to boost funding.
Guterres noted that disaster-related mortality is at least six times lower in countries with effective early warning systems, emphasizing that a 24-hour warning before a natural hazard can reduce damage by up to 30 percent. He pointed out that more than 60 percent of countries now have multi-hazard early warning systems, while least developed countries have nearly doubled their capacities.
He highlighted that advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence have “revolutionized prediction and alerting capabilities.” The UN chief recalled that in 2022, the United Nations launched the “Early Warnings for All” initiative, aiming to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by an effective early warning system by 2027.
Guterres stressed that achieving this vision requires progress along three main tracks: integrating early warning systems into national policies and budgets, mobilizing increased financing to expand the capacities of developing countries, and addressing the root causes of the climate crisis by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
He urged all countries to submit new ambitious national climate plans by the Brazil conference, in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C and containing clear commitments to reduce emissions over the next decade.