Business · Trade · 6 hrs ago
UN climate chief urges action on funding and energy security ahead of COP31
UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged governments to deliver on their climate pledges ahead of COP31, the climate conference opening in Antalya, Turkey.
He said climate finance for developing countries is essential to cut emissions and help communities withstand climate impacts.
Those countries have contributed little to the crisis but face major barriers to funding, including high borrowing costs and heavy debt.
Some also lack the capacity to prepare projects that can attract investment.
Stiell said energy security and climate action should be handled together, even as electricity demand rises and energy markets face disruption.
He called for the Baku-to-Belem roadmap to mobilise $1.3 trillion a year to become reality.
The conference is expected to focus on turning commitments into practical steps and strengthening international cooperation.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged governments to deliver on climate funding commitments ahead of COP31.
He said energy security and climate action should be addressed together, not treated as competing goals.
Stiell called for the Baku-to-Belém roadmap to mobilise $1.3 trillion a year to become reality.
He said high borrowing costs and limited project-development capacity make it harder for developing countries to access climate finance.
COP31 is due to open in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday and run for more than two weeks.
- Who
- Simon Stiell, the UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- What
- He urged action on climate finance commitments and said energy security and climate action should be pursued together.
- When
- Ahead of COP31, which is due to open on Monday. The article was published on 8 November 2026.
- Where
- The interview was with Asharq Al-Awsat. COP31 is set to take place in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Why
- Stiell said finance is essential to expand climate action and help developing countries withstand climate impacts. He said energy security and climate action are interconnected.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Asharq Al-Awsat published its interview with Simon Stiell ahead of COP31.
The conference is due to open in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Climate finance roadmap
- Baku-to-Belém plan aims to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually
- COP31 venue
- Antalya, Türkiye
- COP31 duration
- More than two weeks
- Climate finance barrier
- High cost of capital
- Interviewee
- Simon Stiell, UN under-secretary-general and UN climate chief
What people are saying
Climate finance is not charity or merely aid, but a necessity for achieving climate justice and, at the same time, a strategic investment to ensure the resilience of global economies and societies
Fulfilling all climate finance commitments is critically important