Below are remarks delivered by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell during the IEA High-Level Energy Transition Dialogue during London Climate Action Week on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
Excellencies, colleagues, friends,
Clean energy is the fastest route to energy security, sovereignty and affordability for all.
And the transition is now irreversible - as countries said at COP30.
But it's still far from just or global.
We're already seeing the consequences - in human, economic and political terms.
We must accelerate an equitable transition that benefits all:
By doubling-down on electrification.
By rapidly expanding clean cooking, tackling waste and slashing methane emissions.
The UN Secretary General issued a methane call to action this morning - reflecting its outsized impact on limiting short-term temperature rise.
The new targets announced by the COP31 Presidency are a very positive step.
Türkiye's priorities build on the six axes Brazil introduced at COP30, arcing forward to the second global stocktake at COP33.
Minister Kurum, Minister Bowen and I agree: the negotiations and the Action Agenda are both vital, separate but parallel and complimentary tracks.
COP31 must deliver real strides forward in both, driving implementation at scale. So must COP32 and beyond.
And we need coordination. Between: Governments - providing clear policy signals.
Industry - scaling up solutions and strengthening supply chains.
And finance - which must be mobilised at speed and scale.
We must make the Baku to Belem Roadmap a reality - scaling climate finance to $1.3 trillion a year by 2035.
Humanity and the global economy have much to gain by bringing all nations on board this transition.
Thank you.
