Address To The Opening Plenary Of The UN June Climate Meetings, Sixty-Second Session Of The Subsidiary Bodies (SB62)
Executive Secretary Simon Stiell
UN Climate Change
Bonn, Germany
Excellencies,
Delegates,
Friends,
Welcome to Bonn, and the 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies.
There is lots of complex work ahead, so allow me to start with a few simple truths.
First: this process matters, deeply.
The progress you make in the next 10 days makes a very real difference to billions of lives and livelihoods, in every country.
These sessions are where we move from concept to clarity – across sectors, systems, and societies.
You are laying down the tracks that further deliver implementation.
In the real economy – where deep emissions cuts and transformative adaptation must be delivered. Quickly and fairly.
Second: this process is delivering real progress.
Thanks to your tireless efforts and ability to compromise, recent COPs have all produced concrete, major global steps forward.
Even if imperfect, even if no country gets everything it wants, this is human solidarity in action, with real-life benefits for billions of people.
Let's not forget: without UN-convened climate multilateralism, we would be headed for up to 5C of global heating. Now it's around 3.
It's a measure of how far we've come, and how far to go.
A reminder that 1.5, and protecting all people, continue to be both achievable over the course of time, and utterly essential.
Likewise, this year, beneath the noisier negative news, there are plenty of good reasons for optimism.
We are seeing green lights for climate actions from many of the world's biggest economies, sending powerful demand signals to investors and doers.
Yes, there are headwinds – as there always are – but they do not set humanity's course.
The tide has turned for climate action, and there's no turning it back, because it's entirely in every nation's own interests.
So I urge you - let's show how we are rising to this moment - with a unity of purpose that is stronger than ever, and laser-focused on real-world results.
This also requires being pragmatic: the acceleration still needed will only be possible if our process is adequately resourced.
We welcome the growing mandates you have given the secretariat.
And through the secretariat's budget, we have found significant cost savings and efficiencies, so that we can keep delivering fully on all of these growing mandates.
But this approach is not sustainable.
You are all aware of our budget challenges. I urge you to address them fully through your deliberations here in Bonn, to make sure this process keeps getting concrete results that move the world forward.
This brings me to my third point: the world is watching closely, as climate impacts get rapidly worse in every country.
We must show climate cooperation can keep delivering real progress, and can drive the acceleration demanded by science, to protect people and prosperity.
That means these June sessions must:
Agree the final steps for delivering indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation at COP30.
Unlock delivery under the Just Transition Work Programme Work so that it helps move 'Just Transition' from a necessary concept to a lived reality, across economies and societies.
Deep-dive into the Roadmap to the 1.3 Trillion so that it's not just a report, but rather a how-to guide with clear next steps on dramatically scaling up climate finance and investment.
Ensure the mitigation work programme builds momentum for realizing actionable solutions that respond to the urgency we must all confront.
Make progress on defining this era of implementation – what it means to deliver on all the commitments we've collectively made to the planet and each other – including in the first Global Stocktake.
None of these issues are easy. Disagreement is natural. But our process must be safe and respectful for all. Full adherence to the Code of Conduct is non-negotiable.
Friends, guided by the three interlinked priorities set out by the incoming Presidency:
To reinforce multilateralism under the Convention.
To connect our work to billions of real lives.
And to accelerate implementation.
Let's get to work.
The Secretariat will be with you at every step.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
15 hours ago
- Scoop
Destiny Church Protesters Set Flags On Fire In Auckland Rally
Article – RNZ Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has denounced today's Destiny Church protest in downtown Auckland. Hundreds have marched from Aotea Square down Queen Street, in what the church billed as a rally 'in defence of faith, flag and family'. Destiny Church said the march was to take 'a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation'. Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed 'uncontrolled immigration' in the United Kingdom had led to spikes in crime and a collapse in British identity. Tamaki said the church was building a 'Commonwealth crusade' to 'reclaim Christian nations'. At one point, flags – which an RNZ reporter said appeared to include rainbow flags and flags representing mainstream media – were set alight. Seymour said the church leader's messaging was 'un-Kiwi'. 'What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome,' he said. 'Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive.' 'What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his.' Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal on a position that the country has no official religion. He said one demand included enforcing a policy of 'no immigration without assimilation' – a phrase also chanted during the protest march. The acting prime minister said Destiny Church was free to criticise the government. 'Christianity has given a lot to New Zealand but some New Zealanders find faith in other teachings, and so long as they are committed to tolerance for all, then that's not a problem,' he said. 'I just want all New Zealanders to know, that if they come here in good faith to build a better society with tolerance of others then they are welcome here. 'And Brian Tamaki certainly has no right to tell you otherwise.' Fire and Emergency crews were called to the march after flags were set on fire. However rally goers then put the flames out with water and the arriving firefighters then left without taking action. Police were stationed at the protest, but said they did not make any arrests. The Destiny marchers were met by counterprotesters – an RNZ reporter said there were about 100 present at one stage – who were waving tino rangatiratanga flags and Palestine flags.
Scoop
16 hours ago
- Scoop
Destiny Church Protesters Set Flags On Fire In Auckland Rally
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has denounced today's Destiny Church protest in downtown Auckland. Hundreds have marched from Aotea Square down Queen Street, in what the church billed as a rally "in defence of faith, flag and family". Destiny Church said the march was to take "a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation". Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed "uncontrolled immigration" in the United Kingdom had led to spikes in crime and a collapse in British identity. Tamaki said the church was building a "Commonwealth crusade" to "reclaim Christian nations". At one point, flags - which an RNZ reporter said appeared to include rainbow flags and flags representing mainstream media - were set alight. Seymour said the church leader's messaging was "un-Kiwi". "What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," he said. "Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive." "What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his." Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal on a position that the country has no official religion. He said one demand included enforcing a policy of "no immigration without assimilation" - a phrase also chanted during the protest march. The acting prime minister said Destiny Church was free to criticise the government. "Christianity has given a lot to New Zealand but some New Zealanders find faith in other teachings, and so long as they are committed to tolerance for all, then that's not a problem," he said. "I just want all New Zealanders to know, that if they come here in good faith to build a better society with tolerance of others then they are welcome here. "And Brian Tamaki certainly has no right to tell you otherwise." Fire and Emergency crews were called to the march after flags were set on fire. However rally goers then put the flames out with water and the arriving firefighters then left without taking action. Police were stationed at the protest, but said they did not make any arrests. The Destiny marchers were met by counterprotesters - an RNZ reporter said there were about 100 present at one stage - who were waving tino rangatiratanga flags and Palestine flags.
1News
16 hours ago
- 1News
Seymour denounces Destiny Church protest demands as 'un-Kiwi'
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has denounced today's Destiny Church protest in downtown Auckland. Hundreds have marched from Aotea Square down Queen St, in what the church billed as a rally "in defence of faith, flag and family". Destiny Church said the march was to take "a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation". Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed "uncontrolled immigration" in the United Kingdom had led to spikes in crime and a collapse in British identity. Tamaki said the church was building a "Commonwealth crusade" to "reclaim Christian nations". ADVERTISEMENT Watch the Destiny Church protesters march through downtown Auckland on TVNZ+ At one point, flags – which an RNZ reporter said appeared to include rainbow flags and flags representing mainstream media – were set alight. Seymour said the church leader's messaging was "un-Kiwi". "What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," he said. "Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive. "What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his." Protesters and counter-protesters at a Destiny Church rally in Auckland, 21 June 2025. (Source: ADVERTISEMENT Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal on a position that the country has no official religion. He said one demand included enforcing a policy of "no immigration without assimilation" – a phrase also chanted during the protest march. The acting prime minister said Destiny Church was free to criticise the Government. "Christianity has given a lot to New Zealand but some New Zealanders find faith in other teachings, and so long as they are committed to tolerance for all, then that's not a problem," he said. "I just want all New Zealanders to know, that if they come here in good faith to build a better society with tolerance of others then they are welcome here. "And Brian Tamaki certainly has no right to tell you otherwise." Protesters at a Destiny Church rally in Auckland, 21 June 2025 (Source: ADVERTISEMENT Fire and Emergency crews were called to the march after flags were set on fire. However rally goers then put the flames out with water and the arriving firefighters then left without taking action. Police were stationed at the protest, but said they did not make any arrests. The Destiny marchers were met by counterprotesters – an RNZ reporter said there were about 100 present at one stage – who were waving tino rangatiratanga flags and Palestine flags.
