The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, urged countries to implement the agreement on loss and damage reached at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) on Monday 9 January at the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan.
This agreement, reached on 20 November (see EUROPE 13067/10), provides for the creation of a fund for loss and damage, i.e. damage caused by climate disruption that cannot be avoided either by action to reduce emissions or by adaptation to climate change.
A transitional committee has been established to work out the details of the implementation of the fund, which is due to be created by COP28.
In his speech, Mr Guterres called for massive investment in rebuilding Pakistan’s homes, buildings and infrastructure after the terrible floods that affected the country in the summer of 2022.
“If there is any doubt about loss and damage, go to Pakistan. You will see loss, you will see damage, and you will see our common future”, he said.
He also reiterated his criticism of the lack of action and investment in the fight against climate disruption, which he says is a “life-or-death emergency”. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)