Remarks by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell at the opening plenary of the third technical dialogue of the global stocktake.
Friends, Colleagues,
This is a critical year for climate action.
The global stocktake at COP28 must be the turning point where we get on track to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
So, the important work at this dialogue, informing the stocktake and laying the ground for an ambitious response, cannot be overstated.
In the coming days you must use this final push of the technical dialogue to give the stocktake co-facilitators what they need for a meaningful synthesis report.
Which should have concrete examples for a synthesis report that delivers key messages to the political phase of the stocktake.
Technical information, good practices and lessons learned to help Parties and non-Party stakeholders identify what to do to course-correct and achieve the Paris Agreement goals.
You've already heard from the IPCC Chair, the latest IPCC report lays out starkly and clearly the threat of climate change to nature and people.
And it sets out the path we should be on to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with Paris.
Cutting emissions by 43% by 2030, compared to 2010 levels, attaining net-zero by mid-century and delivering a resilient world.
The global stocktake will show that we are not yet on that path.
Pledges by parties and their implementation are far from enough.
So, the response to the stocktake will determine our success.
The success of COP28, and far more importantly, success in stabilizing our climate.
That responsibility must be accelerated ambitious action and support.
Bending the curve decisively on emissions.
Putting our societies on a resilient development path while ensuring the necessary support and cooperation is there.
Because we are already seeing climate impacts, we must invest in adaptation.
Because adaptation comes too late, or funding is lacking, for many people, especially the most vulnerable, we need to address loss and damage.
And because the necessary finance is not in place for mitigation and adaptation worldwide, we need to rethink the global financial architecture.
And an urgent and profound transformation of our societies and economies.
Your meeting this week can lay a strong technical foundation to that response.
Develop key messages for action to course correct. So that all Parties can come to COP28 ready to ratchet up ambition.
The technical dialogue allows Parties and other stakeholders to share knowledge, assess progress, and discuss strategies to close the implementation and ambition gaps.
Your journey so far has been marked by rigorous work, focused discussions and strong inputs from Parties and other stakeholders. Laying out groundwork for information, moving to discussions on bridging gaps, pivoting to implementation.
This meeting is a good opportunity to provide technical information for Parties updating their NDCs and non-Party stakeholders planning their climate action activities.
So go into these discussions with an open mind.
Listen, learn, contribute in frank and open discussions.
Reiterate the power of collective action and international cooperation to overcome the climate crisis.
And remember the long-term importance of your work. This is legacy setting.
Your discussions and outcomes will serve as the basis for further decision-making in the output phase of COP28 and beyond.
We have the knowledge, tools and capabilities to address climate change.
The science tells us that we can still secure a livable sustainable future for all - if we act now.
Every contribution and every action counts.
And your contribution to this session can help put us on the right track.
I thank you.
