Guterres hails Latin American and Caribbean leadership in climate action

Guterres hails Latin American and Caribbean leadership in climate action

NEW YORK — The UN chief on Wednesday commended the leadership of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on climate action. Secretary-General António Guterres said he was counting on these nations to send a strong signal to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) that it is possible to achieve a resilient net zero future. He was speaking at the High-Level Dialogue on Climate Action in the Americas, hosted by the Government of Argentina. The one-day virtual event brought together countries in the Americas to discuss their shared commitment to enhancing climate ambition. The event is taking place less than two months before COP26, which will be held Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. “We need to act together to overcome the current impasse,” said Guterres, adding that countries in the region were already showing their ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climatic change, even as they grapple with the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also pledged “the full support of the United Nations system to address the triple threat of COVID-19, climate change and debt.” Priorities Guterres highlighted three essential areas that need immediate action. First,