President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid has stated that the time to the right thing has arrives, as the globe has run out of excuses.
Delivering his remarks at the opening of the COP26 summit proceeding in Glasgow, Scotland, PGA Shahid noted that the globe is facing an existential crisis and although there are resources and capacities to address the crisis, “we are simply not doing enough”.
Highlighting that he has heard more about climate change than any other topic since assuming office as PGA, Shahid noted that every single world leader and delegate at the “High-Level Week” had come to his regarding this topic.
We must be honest about this, with ourselves, with each other, and with the rest of the world. We have had decades to argue the facts about climate change, about the power of renewables, about the fine details of monitoring or cost-sharing. Yet, we have still failed to act with the conviction and determination required. That may be a hard truth, but it is the truth. Another truth: we are entirely capable of turning this around, if we so choose.”Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th UNGA session.
He also noted that it was all he heard from youth, societies, local leaders and women’s groups, during his travels.
These messages, he said, highlights the urgency of keeping within the 1.5 degrees target, the need to support vulnerable populations, the irresponsibility of not capitalizing on technological innovations and the importance of empowering women and youth.
With this being said, he revealed his promise to the GA membership, to bring their messages to the COP26 summit.
As such, Shahid noted that renewable technologies are now among the cheapest on the planet and command strong public support, adding that efforts must be boosted to ensure that all countries have access to the latest technological innovations, with the news that climate finance will not reach the promised goal of USD 100 billion annually until 2023.
PGA Shahid went on to highlight that nearly USD 100 trillion dollars have been pledged to net-zero targets by the private sector, however, it remains unclear on how the funds will be used, prioritized or measured. With this being said, he revealed that it is “imperative” that their contributions are as efficient and impactful as possible.
Third, we must maintain focus on adaptation, particularly for vulnerable countries. We must ensure there is an even, 50/50 split, in adaptation and mitigation financing. Fourth, green jobs are the future, promising both economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. We owe to the world’s almost 1.8 billion youth to not only make the transition to blue and green economies – but to also invest in their skills and tap into their energies to make that transition viable.”Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th UNGA session.
Shedding light on the celebration of the Paris Agreement six years ago, PGA Shahid revealed that a pledge was made to protect those most vulnerable.
However, he stressed that since then, it has rained for the first time on Greenland’s summit, with the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reaching record levels, heat waves scorching countries across the globe and even droughts, storms, forest fires and floods having all become more intense, more recurrent, and more commonplace.
Further, he stressed that the threat of rising sea levels still loom over small island states and coastal communities alike.
My friends, we have the science. We have the resources. We agree on the urgency. What then is holding us back? My dear friends, Only one variable remains… and it is us. We have to make the choice to address climate change. We have to choose the hard but necessary actions. We have to listen to the science and, increasingly, our global population, who are demanding action. My dear, dear friends. We have run out of excuses. It is time to do the right thing."Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th UNGA session.
PGA Shahid quoted Frankie the dinosaur who addressed the General Assembly “let us not choose extinction”, during his remarks as well.
He urged the global communities to work together as “one global family” and use the capacities and capabilities at hand, “to do what needs to be done”.
A hopeful PGA pushed the globe to “let us get this done!”.
