UN Headquarters

Tuesday, 26 October2021, 10am-2pm & 3.30pm-9.30pm EDT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed States’ capacities, just when they were needed most to address our climate priorities. Without global solidarity and innovative solutions to tackle COVID-19’s impacts, all countries risk losing the chance to develop the capacities needed to urgently act for our planet’s climate health. Moreover, a loss of hope in climate action is at an all-time high globally, especially among youth. A sustained sense of despair, leading to public apathy and inaction, would not augur well for humanity’s future, especially at this turning point that will determine our future for the decades to come.

Given the urgency this moment requires, the President of the General Assembly will convene a high-level meeting on Delivering Climate Action – for People, for Planet & for Prosperity on 26 October 2021 in New York, from 10am to 9:30pm, EDT. More details here.

Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) will speak at the event and present the recent Call to Action Statement delivered to governments and financial institutions during the ‘Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Solutions from the Frontlines and the Protection and Defense of Human Rights and Nature’ this September. The Call to Action was signed by 150 organizations, representing millions of people worldwide.

Participation at the meeting will be virtual. The meeting will be webcast live at: 

https://media.un.org/en/asset/k17/k17qu9pfvf

Registration for this event is not required. 

The meeting will focus on the gap between current and required technical, skilling and financial capacities to achieve the 1.5 degrees target and how that gap can be met, through showcasing best practices that simultaneously address climate action and the myriad structural challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. It will also take stock of the ambition-raising initiatives from Member States and stakeholders made along the path to COP26 and help identify areas and sectors where more can be done. Participants are invited to focus on encouraging State Parties and other key stakeholders, including industry and the private sector, to increase ambition across key areas, including:

• Identify and present solutions towards meeting the technical, financial and skills gaps to achieve the 1.5 temperature goal. 

• Build momentum for partnerships on technical and resource support. 

• Increasing political support for climate finance, especially on adaption, on the scale and at the pace that is needed for sustainable recovery.