The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) presents an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the collective commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila-Nova, said at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
According to Report, President Vila-Nova emphasized that island nations are at the forefront of the battle against the consequences of climate change, stating that the climate crisis poses a grave threat to the existence of his country's population. Rising sea levels, more frequent and intense storms, coastal erosion, and loss of biodiversity threaten not only livelihoods but the very existence, Vila-Nova said.
He stressed the critical importance for the international community to adhere to the Paris Agreement to ensure that the voices of the most affected nations, such as São Tomé and Príncipe, are heard.
The São Tomé and Príncipe president called for global actions that are not only ambitious but also urgent.
The COP29 climate conference, set to take place in November this year, will be a crucial opportunity to reaffirm collective commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, he said.
President Vila-Nova underscored the need for concrete and immediate actions to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. He appealed to the largest countries responsible for the highest greenhouse gas emissions to fulfill their historical and moral obligations by drastically reducing emissions and delivering on their climate finance commitments promised to developing countries, which are bearing the brunt of a crisis they did not contribute to. Additionally, he called for the expansion of adaptation financing mechanisms to enhance resilience.