UNGA President and Bangladesh foreign minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has outlined three key priorities for the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, calling for accelerated clean energy transition, predictable climate finance and stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities.

In a video message ahead of the global climate conference, Rahman stressed the need to translate longstanding international climate commitments into concrete action, particularly as climate-vulnerable countries continue to face increasingly severe consequences of global warming.

Highlighting his first priority, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President called for the effective implementation of commitments made under the Paris Agreement through faster deployment of clean energy, increased electrification and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

He said that more than a decade after the adoption of the landmark climate accord, the international community must move beyond pledges and focus on delivering measurable results.

Identifying climate finance as his second priority, the Bangladesh diplomat emphasised the need to ensure predictable and accessible funding for climate adaptation, resilience-building and addressing loss and damage caused by climate-related disasters.

He underscored the importance of ensuring that financial resources reach countries and communities most vulnerable to climate change, enabling them to strengthen their capacity to withstand its growing impacts.

Rahman identified protecting human lives as his third priority, stressing the need for greater investment in early warning systems, disaster preparedness and community-level protection measures.

Such investments were essential to safeguarding vulnerable populations already experiencing the consequences of extreme weather events and other climate-related hazards, he added. 

The UNGA president stressed that international climate action must prioritise practical measures that protect communities while accelerating the global transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, established a global framework for limiting temperature rise, strengthening climate resilience and mobilising financial support for developing countries.

However, implementation gaps, inadequate climate financing and the growing frequency of climate-related disasters continue to pose major challenges to achieving its objectives.