Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for annexation of swaths of the West Bank with an aim to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state” after several countries joined the French push on statehood.
But Israel’s staunch ally the United States has held back from any criticism of the war in Gaza or vows to annex the West Bank — and excoriated its allies who have vowed to recognize a Palestinian state.
Climate goals face collapse
Also on the agenda will be efforts to combat climate change which Guterres warned are floundering.
Guterres said efforts to cap climate warming at 1.5 Celsius above pre-industrial levels were in trouble.
The climate goals for 2035 of the countries that signed the Paris Agreement, also known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), were initially expected to be submitted several months ago.
However, uncertainties related to geopolitical tensions and trade rivalries have slowed the process.
“We are on the verge of this objective collapsing,” he told AFP.
“We absolutely need countries to come… with climate action plans that are fully aligned with 1.5 degrees (Celsius), that cover the whole of their economies and the whole of their greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
“It is essential that we have a drastic reduction of emissions in the next few years if you want to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit alive.”
Less than two months before COP30 climate meeting in Brazil, dozens of countries have been slow to announce their plans — particularly China and the European Union, powers considered pivotal for the future of climate diplomacy.
